JACKSON, Missouri (CNN) -- Debbie Shank breaks down in tears every time she's told that her 18-year-old son, Jeremy, was killed in Iraq. Debbie Shank, 52, has severe brain damage after a traffic accident in May 2000. The 52-year-old mother of three attended her son's funeral, but she continues to ask how he's doing. When her family reminds her that he's dead, she weeps as if hearing the news for the first time. Shank suffered severe brain damage after a traffic accident nearly eight years ago that robbed her of much of her short-term memory and left her in a wheelchair and living in a nursing home.
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Debbie Shank, 52, suffered severe brain damage in a traffic accident
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Wal-Mart's health plan sued Shank and her family to recoup what it paid out
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The Shanks got money in suit; Wal-Mart says policy means couple can't get benefits
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Couple's son was killed in Iraq after they lost lawsuit to Wal-Mart
Debbie Shank
Debbie Shank
Debbie Shank
"We assumed after three years, they [Wal-Mart] had made a decision to let @placeholder use this money for what it was intended to," Graham said.
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Legal or not, CNN asked @placeholder why the company pursued the money.
Debbie Shank
Debbie Shank
Debbie Shank
He's afraid he won't be able to send their youngest son to college and pay for his and @placeholder's care.
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Graham said he believes @placeholder should be entitled to only about $100,000.
Debbie Shank
Debbie Shank
Debbie Shank
For now, he said the family will figure out a way to get by and "do the best we can for @placeholder."