Jacqueline Larsen 2025 Dole Caregiver Fellow North Carolina
All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Jacqueline Larsen as guest to the show.
About Jacqueline Larsen, 2025 Dole Caregiver Fellow, North Carolina:
Jacqueline Larsen cares for her husband, Jeffery (Jeff) Larsen, a retired Air Force pararescueman (PJ) who served for 18 years and deployed 20 times. From a young age, Jeff knew he wanted to become a PJ and serve his country. After graduating high school in 2010, he enlisted in the Air Force, completed the rigorous training, and earned his place in the elite unit. Over the years, he sustained multiple injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), carpal tunnel in both hands, shoulder pain, and herniated discs, which ultimately led to his medical retirement.
Jacqueline met Jeff in early 2020 through a dating app—just as she was about to give up on dating to focus on fixing up her newly purchased farm. Jeff had only recently joined the app as a New Year’s resolution, and the two instantly connected. Their relationship quickly deepened, and by July 2020, they had eloped, with plans to celebrate with friends and family later that summer. However, on the eve of their planned celebration, tragedy struck when he fell when trying to move bales of hay on his own, leaving him quadriplegic. At the time, Jacqueline was eight weeks pregnant with their second child and navigating the overwhelming reality of Jeff’s hospitalization during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeff spent months in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, including the Shepherd Center in Atlanta and the VA in Augusta, before finally returning home just before Christmas. Since then, Jacqueline has dedicated herself to his care, balancing physical and occupational therapy sessions, pain management treatments, and adaptive rehabilitation activities that help Jeff regain independence. He is working toward riding a hand bike, using adaptive equipment for long-range shooting, and assisting with farm chores from his wheelchair.
Their family, which includes their two sons, 11-year-old Lucas and 4-year-old Jackson, have adapted to a new normal—one filled with resilience, adjustments, and an emphasis on kindness and understanding. They have learned that while their family is not able to do all the things other families can do, they now create quality time where they can celebrate with new traditions. The boys have learned to be kind, courteous, and helpful to all people.
Living in rural North Carolina, just outside Fort Bragg, Jacqueline faced challenges securing reliable respite care due to the limitations of the VA Caregiver Support Program and Tricare’s lack of in-network providers in their county. Her experience has fueled her advocacy for systemic change to better support veteran caregivers, particularly those who have had to leave successful careers due to their caregiving responsibilities.
She is passionate about raising awareness of the financial strain that unpaid caregiving places on families, including the burden of student loans for caregivers who can no longer pursue their careers.
Currently, Jacqueline is working to turn their hobby farm into a sustainable business that will provide employment opportunities for both her and Jeff.
About the Dole Caregiver Fellowship:
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation Dole Caregiver Fellows Program is a selective leadership and advocacy fellowship for individuals who provide care and support to wounded, ill, or injured service members and veterans of all generations. Participants—spouses, parents, adult children, friends, or other loved ones—are chosen from across the United States to represent caregivers across their communities and nationally.
During a two-year term, Fellows receive training, build networks, and work with policymakers, organizations, and the public to raise awareness of the value of caregivers and the challenges they face. They advocate for improved support and resources and advise the Foundation on programs and policy priorities affecting military and veteran families. In addition, by sharing their stories and experiences, they help other caregivers recognize themselves as caregivers, connect to resources, and feel welcomed in a community where every caregiving journey is valued.