By Debbie Gregory.
In December, 2013, Army Specialist Justin Perez-Gorda was given a home, free of charge, by Homes for Our Troops. The Veteran had experienced a traumatic brain injury while serving a tour in Afghanistan in January, 2011. The injury reportedly left him paralyzed from the waist down, the repercussions of the IED explosion.
However, Perez-Gorda is now under investigation, after footage was released showing him unloading lumber in his garage. His wife, Jose, stated that the non-profit knew for years that he could walk, despite them building a wheelchair accessible home for the couple.
Despite interviews given by the couple in 2012 in which they express Perez-Gorda was permanently paralyzed, Mrs. Perez-Gorda claimed that just months after her husband was injured, he regained his ability to walk.
When Jose Perez-Gorda was reportedly asked why they didn’t reveal his miraculous recovery before or at the time of the home’s gifting, the mother of two clammed up.
Shortly after the couple moved into the home, neighbors claimed they saw the Veteran walking around his property, and soon there was photo and video evidence. The couple reportedly became withdrawn and angry when approached with the subject.
Shocked by the reports, Homes for Our Troops Executive Director Bill Ivey said the non-profit are continuing to assess the situation and is weighing their options, adding repossessing the home would be a “last resort.”
Ivey said that after suspicions arose about his handicaps his organization repeatedly tried to contact them last year but without success.
Homes for Our Troops has built over 180 homes for injured Veterans, and currently have 49 home-build projects underway throughout the United States.
The organization’s mission statement reflects its desire to provide quality assistance to qualified Veterans by offering free homes.
“Most of these Veterans have sustained injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or severe traumatic brain injury. These homes restore some of the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives.”
So, what do you think?
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“Paralyzed” Vet Walks After Getting Free Home: Military Connection: by Debbie Gregory
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