Anthony, a petty officer second class in the U.S. Navy, had been stationed with his squadron on top of a bridge overlooking a highway in Fallujah just outside of Iraq.
“A dump truck that they estimated [to contain] 3,000 pounds of explosives drove under their post station and detonated,” Ivonne said. “I was 20 weeks pregnant with [our son], AJ.”
Anthony suffered a severe spinal injury as well as a traumatic brain injury that left him in a wheelchair and unable to speak.
While Ivonne noted the transition to normalcy for the family has never been easy, a recent renovation of their Lake Houston-area home received an unexpected boost that has helped lessen the load.
National nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes, which partners with communities and corporations to help build homes for soldiers who were injured while on duty, footed the entire bill of the renovations, which wrapped up in November.
“It was just a huge lift off my shoulders,” Ivonne said. “To give us this gift is just amazing.”
Kim Valdyke, director of construction for Building Homes for Heroes, said the nonprofit’s mission centers around building homes for injured veterans who are returning from active duty.
“Basically, when you get wounded in war, you’re homeless,” Valdyke said. “You go into rehab. Your family packs up everything into storage, and the job is to get the veteran better.”
According to Valdyke, the Thompsons’ home marks the 307th home the nonprofit has worked on since 2006. Roughly $125,000 was raised for the project with the assistance of a fundraising effort hosted by the Bobby Bones radio show.
Jenny Sudduth—a designer for Superior Homes Renovations, which oversaw the remodel—said renovations included an entirely new kitchen, new flooring, a walk-in shower and bathroom, and more easily accessible closet space.
Ivonne said her family would not be where they are today without the support of those around her.
“Stay hopeful and have a great support system,” Ivonne said. “If you can get them healthy to where they can continue to live and experience life with their family, to me, that’s worth it.”
Building Homes for Heroes
4584 Austin Blvd., New York
516-684-9220
www.buildinghomesforheroes.org
