A local disabled veteran moved into his new home Saturday afternoon. It was built from scratch with the help of Homes for Our Troops, a non-profit helping post-9/11 service members.
Ryan Wilcox lost his leg after he was shot while serving in Iraq ten years ago. He said he was suprised when he was selected by the company.
“If they were going to build me a home I would expect, uhm, you know, because it is provided free, a very basic style, and this is so not a basic-style home,” Wilcox said.
Since he gets around by wheelchair, the new house has roll-under features.
“They put their life on the line for us and our freedom and independence and for us to be able to do something to be able to help them regain their freedom and independence back even in some small ways, just, I can’t even describe it,” said Cindy Baptiste, Homes for Our Troops Director of Finance.
It’s a freedom that will now allow for Wilcox to spend more time with his children.
“Bed time will be easier because I can wheel in say goodnight and tuck them in and what not–where before I would not be able to,” Wilcox said.
However, the support doesn’t stop here.
“We follow them all along that’s one of the key components of ours. We help them rebuild their life we don’t just turn over the keys and then let them go,” Baptiste said.
