Watch VideoA home makeover for injured soldier
Story By: Abby Lane
Source: KOAA
Published Sat Mar 01, 2008, 05:11 PM MST
Updated Mon Mar 03, 2008, 09:48 PM MST
Outside of Raleigh & Misty Heekin's home dozens of volunteers get their marching orders.
"Back to work everyone!" said an organizer with the non-profit Rebuilding Together. "We have a house to finish."
Inside, they caulk windows, paint and clean. It wasn't hard to rally these troops after hearing Heekin's story.
Heekin was deployed to Iraq in October of 2006. A year ago, while trying to help some injured soldiers, his car was hit by a road-side bomb.
“It blew through my vehicle like a hot knife through butter,” he said.
It killed the medic and injured Heekin and the driver. Heekin's had more than 19 surgeries on his leg and says the recovery's been tough - physically and mentally. “A big part of the recovery is dealing with what happened,” he said.
Heekin also suffered a traumatic brain injury. He has short-term memory loss and trouble sleeping. The group remodeled the basement with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette to give him a place to escape. “Part of me feels that this shouldn't be happening to me because I'm not that special but I'm very, very grateful,” he said.
His wife and three kids are also grateful for the help. "I think he will do very good,” said his daughter, Skylin Heekin.
The non-profit Rebuilding Together Colorado Springs made this possible. It was paid for by consulting firm Booz Allen & Hamilton and Countrywide Financial Corporation.
