Army Sergeant First Class Henry Escobedo is ready to move into his new home in Pearland. It is not the standard type layout of construction found in subdivisions but instead a special one to adapt to his special needs and it is a gift.
The national nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is donating a specially adapted custom home to Escobedo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
SFC Escobedo was severely injured while serving in Iraq.
In 2003, while serving as an Infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor, 1st Armor Division, SFC Escobedo sustained a concussion in 2003 after falling off his vehicle in Baghdad/Al Kufa-Najaf, Iraq. At that time he was serving with the 2nd Battalian, 37th Armor, 1st Armor Division as an infantryman.
When he returned to the US, he was experiencing headaches along with dry eyes. While deployed in Iraq in 2010, his condition continued to worsen. By the end of 2011, his vision deteriorated almost completely; he is now legally blind with minimal light perception. Doctors eventually diagnosed him with Leber’s Optic Neuropathy. He is now legally blind with minimal light perception.
To assist him in his new home, he will have over 40 major special adaptations. These include a roll-in shower, pull down shelving and lowered counter tops in the kitchen area, and widened doorways assessable to wheelchairs.
Contributions from donors, supporters and corporate partners with HFOT made the donation of this home possible.
“Knowing that I can provide my family with a roof over their heads, a secure and safe place, and a home where I can become independent, is a dream come true,” SFC Escobedo said.
The event will be streamed on Zoom beginning at 10 am CST (Zoom opens at 9:50 am). For more information, or to receive the Zoom link, contact Community Outreach Manager Q Bailey at qbailey@hfotusa.org.
HFOT reports that there are 62 projects of this type underway in the nation.
To find out more on how to get involved or make a donation visit www.hfotusa.org.
Read more about SFC Escobedo’s story and watch his video at www.hfotusa.org/escobedo.
Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a publicly funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide to severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.
Most of these Veterans have sustained life-altering injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These homes restore some of the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives.
H-E-B Operation Appreciation is the project sponsor for this project.
HFOT builds these homes where the Veteran chooses to live and continues its relationship with the Veterans after home delivery to assist them with rebuilding their lives.
Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of every dollar spent has gone directly to our program services supporting Veterans. For more information, visit www.hfotusa.org.
