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Invisible Heroes Campaign Logo - Invisible Disabilities Association

The Invisible Heroes® is a campaign of the Invisible Disabilities® Association. An Invisible Hero is a Veteran or first responder such as a Firefighter, EMT or Police Officer who is battling invisible wounds such as PTSD, TBI, injuries and/or other invisible disabilities or someone who is actively supporting them. 

By helping support the Invisible Heroes® and the Invisible Disabilities® Association (IDA) with your donation, your gift will allow IDA to continue to be a voice for all people living daily with illness, pain and disability including veterans and first responders. IDA strives to encourage, educate and connect friends, family, co-workers, medical personnel and businesses with articles, publications, resources, radio, television, podcasts, seminars and more. 

In 2011, IDA launched the Invisible Heroes® campaign and presented the first Invisible Heroes® Award at the Annual Awards Gala. The IH Award provides visibility to amazing heroes for their sacrifice, perseverance and passion for their cause.

INVISIBLE HEROES® AWARD RECIPIENTS

CEO – The Elizabeth Dole Foundation

2022 Steve Schwab

CEO – The Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Founder & CEO - Stack Up

2021 Stephen "Shanghai Six" Machuga

Founder & CEO – Stack Up
President and Founder – TAPS Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

2020 Major Bonnie Carroll, Ret.

President and Founder – TAPS
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
VP RIP Medical Debt - Chairman Victory for Veterans

2019 Colonel Mikel Burroughs, Ret.

VP RIP Medical Debt – Chairman Victory for Veterans
US Army Special Forces - Co-Founder Warriors Heart Treatment Center

2018 Tom Spooner, Delta Force, Ret.

US Army Special Forces – Co-Founder Warriors Heart Treatment Center
Advisor Coming Home Project - Advisor CereScan

2017 Maj Gen Gale Pollock, Ret.

Advisor Coming Home Project – Advisor CereScan
Talk Show Host - Documentary Film Maker

2016 Steffan Tubbs

Talk Show Host – Documentary Film Maker
Co-founder and Executive Director, PTSD United

2015 Josh Rizzo - West Point, FMR US Army Capt

Co-founder and Executive Director, PTSD United
CEO and Founder – Project Sanctuary

2014 Heather Ehle

CEO and Founder – Project Sanctuary
President & CEO, Tug McGraw Foundation

2013 Jennifer Brusstar

President & CEO, Tug McGraw Foundation
Executive Director, Hidden Wounds

2012 Anna Bigham

Executive Director, Hidden Wounds
Author, Keynote Speaker, Disability Advocate

2011 Luis Carlos Montalván, Fmr Capt US Army

Author, Keynote Speaker, Disability Advocate

ACRONYM Film Trailer

The Cross-Generational Battle with PTSD

Invisible Wounds, Invisible Disabilities

The Realities of War

The Invisible War - IDA Keynote

Fmr Capt Luis Carlos Montalván and Tuesday