HFOT asked me to write a piece for their upcoming newsletter. I’m appending it here because I really want to help spread awareness of this great organization. If the Mods decide it is inappropriate for FAOL, I will not take umbrage at it being poofed. It is longer than the normal post here, but I think you folks might like the information. You can find more at www.homesforourtroops.org
Thanks! Here goes:
I first heard of Homes For Our Troops when our son Evan, who lost his legs and an eye to an IED in Iraq, told me his family was being given a home. I went on the Net, researched HFOT, and quickly decided this organization deserved my support for what it does and for how efficiently it turns donations into accessible homes for severely injured veterans of our post-9/11 wars.
Today’s wars are fought by our all-volunteer armed forces. The more of them I meet, the more impressed I am by their character, courage, and love of country. Remarkable medical advances have led to more of the severely injured returning to the US alive and determined to make the best out of life. They do their best to cope with, and overcome, the problems and obstacles their injuries will cause over the rest of their lives.
So do their equally impressive spouses and children. Unless you have been exposed to this situation personally, you don’t realize that the long term impact of a serious military injury is a family affair, shared by spouses and children. I’ve met women who married athletic young men and soon became challenged, but fiercely dedicated, caregivers. I’ve watched little kids find ways to play with, help, and entertain their heroic, deeply loving, but limited-in-mobility, dads.
The financial benefit of being given a HFOT home is obvious.
Somewhat less obvious is the huge difference it makes to live in a house that does everything possible to enable and ease daily life for the injured veteran’s specific needs. Doors wide enough for wheelchairs, voice command doors and light switches, seats on ceiling tracks that go from bedside to bathroom, etc. If the injured vet needs an accessibility feature, HFOT does its best to provide it.
Much less obvious, but most important to me, is this. These veterans, and their spouses and children, get unhappy and unpleasant daily reminders of the sacrifices they have made, and continue to make, on behalf of our country. Some veterans have memory loss. Some have problems associated with the loss of limbs or limb function. Their spouses and kids also have a wide range of unhappy and unpleasant reminders. These vary greatly depending on the veteran’s injuries. They can range from having to help the veteran with bathroom tasks to not having a Dad who can show you how to throw a football or fly a kite. An HFOT home helps to offset this with a daily reminder of how much American citizens appreciate their sacrifices. I believe this makes a big difference. HFOT doesn’t just provide an attractive and accessible home; it gives tangible daily proof that we really do care about them and greatly appreciate what they have sacrificed for us.
There are many ways you can help HFOT. Donations of cash, building materials, your time, expertise and professional skills.
We all have support to offer. I’m a Marketing consultant, so I’ve helped HFOT with this. I’m self-employed, so I’ve been able to contribute much time. But even those employed in a full time job have time to contribute. I’m handy at DIY home improvements, so I’ve been able to augment the construction work done by building construction professionals who so generously donate their efforts to HFOT. But I’ve also seen people aged 12 to 80, with zero construction or DIY experience, be a great help in HFOT home building projects. I’m a HFOT Volunteer Ambassador, representing HFOT at building trade shows and other events. But everyone can increase HFOT’s awareness and support by simply telling people about this great organization.
I have now helped in the construction of 8 HFOT homes, including Evan’s. This is what gives me greatest satisfaction. Helping to create tangible proof of my appreciation for the veteran and his/her family. Seeing the looks on their faces as they watch the house go from a concrete foundation to a completed exterior and framed interior during a 3-day HFOT build brigade project, and as they first enter their home-to-be, are extremely heart-warming experiences.
Oh, if you are worried about my son Evan, don’t be. Since his injuries he has married a great wife, fathered two great kids, and completed several triathlons. Best of all, he has an incredibly cheerful and positive approach to life. I give part of the credit for the latter to HFOT. That’s why I’m looking forward to helping to build my 9th and 10th HFOT homes this year!
Think about it. How can you help? I?m certain you can and know you’ll feel good when you do.