After retiring U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared Bullock had a difficult time taking care of simple everyday tasks in his home, this is after he lost both his right arm and right leg to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan back in 2013. Simple tasks like moving from his wheel chair to the bathroom was difficult not to mention his home was not designed to accommodate a wheelchair so navigating thorough some of the doors was even more difficult.
On the 28th of June this year, the Gary Sinise Foundation decided to hold a dedication of a specially adapted, three-bedroom smart home that was specifically built for Bullock, his wife, Jessica, and their son, Aidan.
The charity was established by Gary Sinise, who is an actor, and is best known for his portrayal of Lt. Dan in the 1994 film "Forrest Gump". The foundation donates such homes to wounded veterans through its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment).
Bullock who has to wear a prosthetic leg still needs to use a wheelchair at home. His new crib is fully equipped with "smart pads" on the walls, which allow Bullock to control the security system and lights. All of the kitchen appliances in the house can be easily and safely accessed from a wheelchair. The shower is very spacious with enough room for Bullock to wheel in and transfer using a bench and handles.
Representatives of the program's donors — including the Marcus Foundation Inc., the Home Depot Foundation, Semper Fi Fund, and Larry and Phyllis Castrale — were among those present during the dedication ceremony. Present also in the ceremony were a number of building partners who had donated materials.
Bullock and his twin brother had enlisted in the Army together after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He served for two tours in Iraq, and after he trained for the U.S. Army Special Forces, he was deployed to Afghanistan in October 2013. One month later, Bullock ran over an IUD while driving an ATV on routine patrol. He lost his right arm above the elbow and his right leg above the knee and underwent a total of 30 surgeries.
Bullock, who is an award-winning bodybuilder, has garnered over 60,000 followers on Instagram. He noted that his favorite room in the whole house is the gym facility. Bullock also said that he is currently searching for commercial property and plans on opening a gym in Southern Illinois.
