Caleb Brewer – a beneficiary of Gary Sinise foundation – celebrated his 31st birthday in the most unconventional way possible. Instead of a day of joy, the supposed-to be special occasion was filled with peril and despair.
The man who almost lost everything has no regrets knowing that it was all in the service to his country.
The U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class was severely wounded in combat while he served in Afghanistan in 2015. He lost both of his legs, suffered severe infections, bloodclots, and a traumatic head injury. It was a difficult situation that you would think no one would survive. But he did.
Brewer retired in 2016 and this was when the Gary Sinise Foundation caught wind of his story and convinced him to apply for its RISE (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program.
The program’s goal is to build smart homes specifically adapted for severely injured veterans. They also offer mobility devices and home modifications to injured, wounded, ill, as well as aging soldiers.
Brewer, Ashley, his spouse, and their daughters Evelyn (their two daughters) soon made the application a reality. Their home in Tucson, Arizona was completed construction on February 6, 2019.
“It’s incredibly overwhelming in a good way,” said Brewer, a Tucson native. “It doesn’t feel real. I never would’ve expected it in a million years.”
The smart home can be controlled from a smartphone and tablet. Family members can control the home’s features with just a touch. They can close the blinds and turn down the music.
To make things easier for Brewer when he’s on his wheelchair, hanging mirrors at an angle and pocket doors were also installed in the home.
“A specially adapted smart home will greatly increase his ability to perform necessary daily functions,” a news release from the Gary Sinise Foundation said.
Brewer will benefit from the house’s workout room, which will allow him to train other people.
Brewer enlisted with the Army Reserves and earned his Green Beret. Four months after he was injured, he learned how to walk on prosthetic legs and can now run, surf and rock climb.
The Gary Sinise Foundation was founded by actor Gary Sinise, who has been a firm supporter of war veterans since the 70s, 80s, and 90s – having military veterans in his own family.
Gary Sinise became more active in advocating for our protectors after the terrible events of September 11, 2001. This personal mission was what led to the establishment of the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Since then, he has been supporting veterans and their families through a number of programs such as the Snowball Express under the Relief & Resiliency program, which aims to serve the children and families of fallen military heroes by hosting fun activities and healing retreats in a stress-free community to help them cope with the loss of their beloved veterans.
The foundation has now helped another veteran, in the form of Sgt. 1st Class Caleb Brewer.
Congratulations to the Brewer Family for their new smart home! Our military veterans are truly deserving of all the help and care they can receive for all their sacrifices.
We have organizations like Gary Sinise Foundation, where we can support and contribute to those who are committed to our safety.
Below is of Mr. Sinise’s foundation giving a veteran a new home:
