Erath County Army veteran injured in Afghanistan getting a new home specially adapted to his needs.
Updated: Oct 22
Special to Beneath the Surface News
Homes for Our Troops will kick off the building of a specially adapted home for Army Specialist Kyle Beddow at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at City Hall at City Limits in Stephenville.
Kyle, an Erath County resident, was injured while serving in Afghanistan.
The community is invited to the kickoff event, which signifies the start of the build process and will introduce Kyle to the community.
The home being built for Kyle will feature more than 40 major special adaptations such as widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower and kitchen amenities that include pull-down shelving and lowered countertops.
The home will also alleviate the mobility and safety issues associated with a traditional home, including navigating a wheelchair through narrow hallways or over thresholds or reaching for cabinets that are too high.
Kyle joined the Army in 2011 as an Infantryman and Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. He immediately loved the training and camaraderie of serving with his brothers in arms.
On May 20, 2012, he was on his first combat deployment serving with the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in Afghanistan when he lost his left leg in an improvised explosive device blast.
Kyle was first flown to Kandahar Airfield for immediate medical treatment, followed by Bagram in Afghanistan and then Landstuhl, Germany, before being transported back to the United States at Walter Reed Medical Center.
There he was reunited with his family, including his son Jordan, who was only eight months old at the time.
Listen to Kyle’s story in his own words by clicking here.
Now medically retired, Kyle enjoys traveling to see friends and family all over the country. He is also an avid scuba diver and competes in a series of off-roading races throughout the year.
Though Kyle has adapted to his injuries over the years, he still cannot fully access his current home because it is not wheelchair accessible.
“A home is supposed to be a place to relax, be safe, and feel welcomed,” he said.
“Receiving a donated home, I will be in an environment that doesn’t always seem like a battle to be in, where I can focus on what is truly important and less on the negatives that currently hinder the goal of a safe and welcome environment.
“I have so much gratitude and respect for everyone who makes these homes a reality for our nation’s severely injured combat Veterans and their families.”
ABOUT HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS
HFOT is a publicly funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.
The organization has built more than 400 homes since its inception in 2004 and relies on contributions from donors, supporters and corporate partners for the building of each veteran’s home.
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