Helping a Hero, an organization that donates specially adapted homes to veterans who were injured in battle, has helped build a new house for a North Texas veteran.
The Houston, Texas-based organization focuses on veterans who were severely injured as a result of fighting the “Post 9-11 Global War on Terror.” Meredith Iler, the founder of Helping a Hero, said she hopes to give purpose to those who may struggle to find theirs.
“It’s all about Americans coming together and saying thank you in a tangible way,” said Iler, per WPSD News.
Thus far, Helping a Hero has awarded more than 100 homes — with homes on average valued at $250,000 — in more than 20 states.
Travis Strong is a retired Army Staff Sergeant who was injured while on duty and now lives in Haslet, Texas. While deployed in Iraq in 2006, a bomb struck the vehicle he was in and Strong lost both his legs.
Strong currently helps other disabled veterans adapt to life and help them have a normal lifestyle after their service ends.
“To give back kind of a sense of purpose for some of these guys that have lost purpose they’ve been told so many times that they can’t do this,” Strong said, per WPSD News.
Due to his disability, Strong said that there are many houses and buildings he is unable to access.
“It’s hard, it’s not easy,” said Strong, per WPSD News. “There’s a lot of doorways that I can’t get into, a lot of areas that I can’t get into in my chair because it’s built for normal people.”
Strong will no longer have to worry about doorways in his home, as Helping a Hero, Bass Pro Shops, and Lennar Homes are helping build a home for Strong and his family that is adapted to his needs.
“To be able to have a home that’s fully adaptive where you can get into every single area doorway in your chair is just huge,” he said, per WPSD News. “It’s such a relief.”
Strong is grateful for the new home, telling WPSD News, “I don’t know how I can thank them enough for this blessing.”
