U.S. Army veteran and Sergeant First Class Caleb Brewer was recently gifted with a smart home that was specially built for him, his wife Ashley, and their daughters Evelyn and Emily. Brewer lost both of his legs in Afghanistan on his 31st birthday in December of 2016; he also sustained severe infections and a traumatic brain injury. The wounded warrior learned how to walk again within 4 months of the accident, developing a passion in helping others through rehabilitation. He can now run, surf and rock climb. The smart home is equipped with features that can be powered with a smartphone or tablet. Among them: The family will be able to close the blinds, turn down music and check who is at the door, all with the push of a button. He also loves physical fitness, and that’s why a specialized gym was made in Brewer’s home; he can easily access his exercise equipment and he can train others. Also in his house is “a custom heated bathroom, a wheelchair-accessible kitchen, and a special spot for his prosthetics.” “It’s incredibly overwhelming in a good way,” said Brewer, a Tucson native. “It doesn’t feel real. I never would’ve expected it in a million years.”

The Gary Sinise Foundation and RISE program, along with various Arizonian contractors and designers came together to build and donate this home for the Brewer family; one of them being my dad, John Mourelatos, with his company, Mourelatos Tile Pro. He installed the tile in the master bathroom floor and shower. “Thank you @GarySiniseFound for everything you do! Thank you to the Brewer family for your service, God bless you,” he said on Twitter. Also, senior project manager of the Rise program, Pete Franzen, said, ”We simply could not do what we do across the country without the local people supporting our mission.”