Thomas Counihan, a U.S. Army veteran who sustained serious injuries during his service in Afghanistan, has been gifted with a mortgage-free adapted house in Port St. Lucie, as part of the contributions of Helping a Hero, an organization dedicated to aiding military personnel who have been gravely injured in combat. Counihan suffered an life-changing injury that led to the amputation of his lower leg after a 180-pound homemade bomb exploded next to the armored vehicle he was in during his deployment in Afghanistan back in May 2011.
Helping a Hero, founded in 2006, prides itself on supporting veterans like Counihan, who was highlighted by the organization for not just his service, but also for his continued dedication to other disabled vets. Counihan has devoted much of his post-military life in the instructional realm of adaptive sports, teaching fellow veterans how to surf, skydive, and engage in various other activities, according to a TCPalm interview. Counihan expressed his gratitude saying, "Getting this house is one of the first things that I've done in a really long time that is for me."
The home was constructed keeping Counihan’s specific needs in mind, such as wheelchair accessibility, to allow him independence and comfort. The Port St. Lucie community home is set to be completed in February and has been fully funded by Lennar Construction, Bass Pro Shops, and Helping a Hero. "Sitting down near a body of water to reflect on life and remind myself how lucky I am to be alive," Counihan told WPTV when speaking about his favorite spot at the new residence.
Meredith Iler, the founder of Helping a Hero, mentioned that the organization takes pride in the customization of each home, stating, "We don't cookie cutter anything. We literally work with each veteran." Helping A Hero typically involves a $50,000 mortgage which the veteran would pay, but in Counihan’s case, Lennar absorbed the cost, providing him the house mortgage-free. This generosity echoes the mission statement of Helping a Hero, as they endeavor to empower veterans and provide them with the tools necessary to pursue their dreams and rebuild their lives after service, according to TCPalm's report.
Counihan's spirit of altruism continues to shine as he looks forward to turning his new abode into a hub of community and support for others in need. "My door will always be open to anybody who needs a hand, veteran or not," he said, in a statement obtained by TCPalm's report.
