On Saturday, May 10, the Erath community welcomed home a hero, who was rewarded for his service with a new home for him and his family in Hill Valley Estates in Stephenville.
The gift was organized by the national nonprofit organization, Homes For Our Troops, for U.S. Army SPC Kyle Beddow nearly 13 years after he was severely injured while serving his country.
On May 20, 2012, Specialist Beddow 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 (IED) 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.
Beddow adapted to his injuries over the year but he couldn’t fully access parts of his previous home because it was not wheelchair accessible, making it difficult to get through doorways or reach appliances.
“A home is supposed to be a place to relax, be safe, and feel welcomed,” he says. “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.”
SPC Beddow’s new home features more than 40 major special adaptations such as widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower, and kitchen amenities that include pulldown 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, riding on carpets, or reaching for cabinets that are too high. HFOT will donate the home to SPC Beddow, thanks to contributions from donors, supporters, and corporate partners.
The home also has quality landscaping thanks to a volunteer day Feb. 1 where dozens of Erath neighbors showed up to make sure the family had a picturesque greeting when they pulled up to their new home.
Kyle wants HFOT donors and supporters to know he appreciates their efforts. “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,” he says.
Originally from California, Kyle is choosing to build his home in Texas, to be closer to fellow Veterans he served with.
Currently, HFOT has over 73 active projects underway nationwide. To find out more on how to get involved or make a donation visit www.hfotusa.org.