When Sinaiyah Emami was four years old, her father was injured while serving in Afghanistan. Following his injury, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly known as PTSD. PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. It may cause intense fear, recurring memories, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, and strong emotional reactions. Over time, these symptoms can affect the mood, relationships, and daily life, not only of the individual, but of the entire family.
While many people are aware of the growing number of veterans affected by PTSD, Sinaiyah emphasizes that far fewer recognize the lasting impact it can have on children. After her father’s injury, Sinaiyah’s mother became his primary caregiver, and Sinaiyah and her younger sister Azara, who is in 9th grade, were forced to mature before their time. They took on responsibilities beyond their years and often felt isolated from peers who could not understand their family’s new reality or the emotional challenges they faced at home.
Determined to turn that isolation into connection, Sinaiyah and Azara launched a blog in 2025, titled We Signed Up Too. The blog was created to provide a safe, supportive space for children of wounded, ill, and injured veterans. Through personal stories, shared resources, and honest conversations, the blog helps young people feel seen and understood. Sinaiyah explains, “Through consistent advocacy and transparent storytelling, our blog has helped bring visibility to the overlooked needs of these children, and has encouraged organizations that traditionally focus on disabled veterans to expand their support to include their families.”
In addition to online advocacy, Sinaiyah is working to build community in person. She has partnered with organizations, such as Willing Warriors and Cloverleaf Equine Center, to organize day-long events for children of disabled veterans. These events have featured acclaimed authors and chefs who introduce kids to activities that cultivate creativity and emphasize the importance of just having fun. Sinaiyah hopes to continue expanding these events in the future to reach an even wider audience and to bring a bigger group of kids in this population together.
Sinaiyah’s leadership and advocacy were recognized by the Courageous Kid Award, an honor given to military children by Our Military Kids, an organization that grants awards to military children who demonstrate resilience, service, and leadership in the face of adversity. The award celebrated Sinaiyah’s commitment to turning personal hardship into meaningful action that promotes understanding, peace, and community support for children of wounded, ill, and injured Veterans.
Sinaiyah’s goal is to make the most of her teen years by assisting other teenage children of veterans. The circumstances surrounding these children are widely overlooked and she says, “Through We Signed Up Too my goal is to make as much impact as I can with the platform I have been blessed with.”
To learn more, you can follow Sinaiyah on Instagram @sinaiyah_e or check out her blog at wesigneduptoo.com