Mortgage-Free Adaptive Homes Allows Disabled Veterans to Live with Dignity

Redmond Ramos with his family in front of his new home provided by Homes for Our Troops. Ron Cole Photography

Disabled veterans Redmond Ramos and Max Rhon first met while competing at the Warrior Games, an annual sporting event for injured military officers. The two crossed paths again serendipitously on a flight to Colorado, and from that moment on, the two became best friends. “Max and I are brothers in arms. Brothers in—legs?” Ramos joked, alluding to them both being “below the knee” amputees.

Ramos and Rhon were U.S. Navy corpsmen who suffered injuries while on duty. Today, Ramos is a forensic analyst working to fight sex trafficking, while Rhon is an athlete who has competed in the U.S. Paralympics.

Like many veterans, they choose not to dwell on their disabilities. Instead, they are excited to soon be living 3 miles apart, in the same neighborhood of Fallbrook, California. They both received new, mortgage-free homes from Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit that provides specially modified homes for injured veterans. Primarily funded by donations, homes are customized according to the disabled veterans so they can get around easily and safely. “I’m excited to be able to raise our families next to each other. My life as an amputee is about to change in an incredible way,” Ramos said.

A Brotherly Bond

While fighting in Fallujah, Iraq, in May 2009, Rohn lost his right leg after his vehicle was hit by an RKG-3 grenade powerful enough to punch a hole through 2.25 inches of steel. Ramos was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and lost his left leg after triggering an improvised explosive device (IED) while attempting to assist an injured Marine.

They didn’t know each other at the time, but life post-combat has brought them together. They recently discovered that they could conveniently go shoe-shopping together. Rohn needed a good pair of running shoes. While browsing the selection at a local Dick’s Sporting Goods, they realized that since they both wear size 12, they could buy one pair of shoes and each wear one shoe.

Volunteers show up to help Ramos do landscaping on his new home. Courtesy of Youngren Construction

Building Hope

Rohn considers himself fairly adapted to life without one of his legs. He’s become a competitive athlete who also coaches track and field at a local Christian school. But living in a home with safety features will improve his lifestyle drastically. “For 13 years, every day, I have had to take off my [prosthetic] leg and crawl into the shower. It’s a safety hazard!”

When he and his wife move into their new ranch-style home, it will meet all ADA standards. That means a fully accessible kitchen with lower countertops and outlets, and pull-down cabinets so he can reach everything. He’ll no longer have to crawl into the shower; a large roll-in shower will allow him to move from his wheelchair to a bench with safety rails. All walkable areas are flat to permit wheelchair access.

A kitchen modified for the home of a disabled veteran. Courtesy of Youngren Construction

Scott Youngren, president of Youngren Construction, which partners with Homes for Our Troops to build the homes, feels honored to be able to help improve these veterans’ lives. Since 2010, he’s built 38 adaptive homes for the organization.

“To see how it transforms them and gives them hope—they have a quality-built house without a mortgage, where every day, they have a place to start rebuilding their lives,” he said.

Custom-made accessible cabinetry in a home constructed for a disabled veteran. Courtesy of Youngren Construction

A typical home he builds for veterans is energy-efficient and has four bedrooms and two bathrooms, totaling 2,800 square feet. Usually, hallways and doorways are made wider than in typical houses. Kitchen and bathroom countertops are adjusted so someone in a wheelchair can easily access them. Automatic door openers are standard, too. He’ll occasionally tweak the design to specifically accommodate the veteran’s disability. For example, a bathroom toilet might be oriented differently in order for a veteran’s good arm to be able to reach the toilet paper dispenser on the wall.

Youngren can build about seven houses every year. Each takes about eight months to complete if the process goes smoothly. He spends a tremendous amount of time to find a viable property and evaluate if it’s buildable or whether road improvements and site utilities are needed. “I’ll give my time every day to dig into it, just so that the vet wants to be there in a good area, on good dirt.”

Ramos receives a certificate for his new home provided by Homes For Our Troops. Courtesy of Youngren Construction

Before completing a home, Youngren and Homes for Our Troops usually host a “landscaping day.” Typically held on a Saturday, volunteers from the community help plant grass, plants, and trees around the home. Veterans also chip in, helping from their wheelchairs. According to Youngren, they are often overwhelmed by the quick transformation. “It’s crazy what we do, but it is totally satisfying. You’re home by noon and think, ‘What a killer experience!’”

When Ramos experienced “landscaping day,” he said it was an experience like no other. “To see over 50 people volunteer to help a stranger was beautiful. My wife and I will never be able to repay this gift.”

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.