Veteran who lost a leg in war and wife to cancer feels at peace in new home personalized for him

Although it's a common practice for people to thank army veterans for their service in public, their lives after coming back from war can be challenging due to injuries as well as financial difficulties. With the entire country reeling from a housing crisis, even veterans who showed courage in war zones are struggling to find affordable accommodation. That's why The Home Depot Foundation and Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors have stepped in to ensure that these heroes are not deprived of a roof over their heads. According to PEOPLE, a disabled veteran from San Antonio found a place to call home, all thanks to the efforts of the initiative of the foundation.

San Antonio Purple Heart recipient Sargeant Anesi "Maverick" Tu'ufuli, who lost his leg on the battlefield, got a home that has been modified to address his needs and wheelchair usage. The organizations even collaborated to fully furnish the house with items that can help Tu'ufuli lead a comfortable life ahead. A press release mentioned that designer Tuan Nguyen utilized items from The Home Depot specifically to equip the house for Tu’ufuli and his family members.

Back in 2005, Tu'fuli lost a part of his left leg after he accidentally stepped on a remote-detonated IED in Taji, Iraq. His right leg was also partially damaged and he sustained other injuries. As Tu'ufuli was adapting to life as a civilian with his family after being discharged, a second tragedy struck when he lost his wife to cancer in 2018. Tu'ufuli was left alone to care for two young daughters as a single dad in a house that wasn't accessible to his wheelchair, making his day-to-day life a lot harder.

But after seeing his new home, Tu'fuli told News 4 San Antonio, "Through the roof. I'm blown away, this is not what I expected. This is above and beyond what I thought it was. When we came in here see all this, I'm in a show right now, really, to be honest." Today, one of his daughters is in college and the other is graduating high school as the father is actively involved in the San Antonio Para Sports wheelchair basketball league. Looking forward to life in his new home, which is one-level with big rooms and big doorways, he further added, “I’m so excited not to have to walk upstairs anymore,” as per Homes for Wounded Warriors. “It’s going to be great!”

According to the official website of The Home Depot Foundation, they work to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap, and support communities impacted by natural disasters. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $500M in veteran causes and improved more than 60,000 veteran homes and facilities. Meanwhile, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors provides vets who were wounded in combat, with accessible, mortgage-free, injury-specific homes tailored to support their needs and lifestyles. They also collaborate with various veterans, donors, and partners to ensure that each home built is an environment that reinforces independence and ensures safety.