Just two years after losing all four limbs in an explosion in Iraq, Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco was given the keys to a brand new home designed especially with his injuries in mind.
The first quadruple amputee to survive the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, Marrocco was given the state-of-the-art home in Staten Island, NY on Saturday by the group Building Homes for Heroes.
The maintenance-free, high-tech residence is equipped with an elevator, sensors that operate the lighting and front door, and electronic controls that raise and lower the sink, stove, and kitchen shelves.
“I can finally just try to live my life like everybody else,” said the 24-year old. “I really appreciate this.”
Specialist Marrocco is the first of four severely wounded veterans who will have new homes built by Building Homes for Heroes in 2011. (See photos of Brendan’s home, or donate to help build a home at www.buildinghomesforheroes.org)
(READ the full story from NY Daily News)