Chicago-Area Wounded Veteran and Family Surprised With New Mortgage-Free Home: Anonymous Donor Contributes More Than $200,000

(PRWEB) June 24, 2012

Thanks to the kick-start of an anonymous donor, a Chicago-area severely wounded U.S. military veteran and his family are celebrating the surprise gift of a new Wounded Veteran Home today, completely mortgage-free.

Official Sponsor Kraken

Built with award-winning universal design principles, the LIFEhouse accommodates the unique needs of a wounded veteran. The home is in the Newport Cove community, created by home builder/developer New American Homes near Antioch, Ill., on suburban Chicagos Chain O Lakes. The anonymous donor approached Susanne Tauke, owner of New American Homes, with more than $ 200,000 toward the home.

U.S. Army Spc. Nick Mapson is the recipient of the LIFEhouse. Mapson suffered debilitating injuries in Afghanistan in July 2004 and is the deserving recipient. He was driving a truck that was blown up by anti-tank mines. In the explosions aftermath, Mapson was trapped in the truck, became drenched in diesel fuel and caught on fire. He forced open a door to escape the burning truck, put out the fire that engulfed him, and without medication endured the wait for a helicopter pickup and subsequent hour-long ride to a hospital.

He was placed in a medically induced coma, stabilized and flown to Germany, where his parents were asked to come to say goodbye because of Mapsons critical injuries. But he survived and was flown to Texas for medical treatment. The explosion and subsequent fire left him with third-degree burns to his face, arms and hands, much hearing loss, reduction in eyesight, back-disc bulging, herniation and other injuries.

Just as bravely as Mapson defended his country he has fought through his injuries, undergoing numerous skin grafts and continuing rehabilitation during months in hospitals. He experiences constant pain, especially in his hands, which lack a range of motion. He earned a Purple Heart and other U.S. commendations for his meritorious service. Mapson is one of the more than 48,000 U.S. veterans who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mapson and his wife and two children presently live in Sugar Grove, Ill.

Built for a wounded veterans needs

The ranch-style LIFEhouse, at 1,992 square feet plus a finished basement, features an open floor plan with wide doorways and circulation areas. The specially designed entrances, kitchen and bathrooms are accessible for a physically challenged veteran.

Among the features adding to livability are multi-level cabinetry, lever door handles, stair handrails with lighting beneath, alternating colored low-pile carpet on stairs, hardwood flooring, no-slip porcelain tile, accessible light switches and outlets, and appliances accessible from a sitting level. The home incorporates predominantly made-in-America products, such as easy-maintenance engineered wood siding. Wausau Supply, one of the Midwests largest building supply companies, is donating the sidings prefinishing, which is advertised to have a virtually maintenance-free finish and a 30-year no-fade warranty.

The LIFEhouse team

The site of the LIFEhouse announcement was The Highlands of Elgin, in Elgin, Ill., at the annual golf event of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago (HBAGC) and Residential Construction Employers Council, Chicago.

This home is part of the national Touchdown for Homes project and locally involves the HBAGC, the Chicago NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Former Players Chapter (of which Reggie Smith is president) and New American Homes.

Susanne Tauke, president of New American Homes Inc., said, LIFEhouse began when our company collaborated with the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA) at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York, which is a pioneer in architecture and design work in accessibility. Our first LIFEhouse won the 2012 Best of 50-Plus Housing Award from the National Association of Home Builders. This led to the anonymous donor providing the seed money to build the LIFEhouse for a Hero.

The anonymous donor was overwhelmed with emotion after reading Nick Mapsons story. The donor chose Nick for the LIFEhouse, and like everyone associated with this effort is extremely grateful for his sacrifices.

Tauke will meet with Mapson to determine if the LIFEhouse can be customized even more to serve his needs.

Mapson, in his application for the LIFEhouse, wrote, Life would be a lot easier with handles and grips to hold onto, and the user-friendly equipment would greatly help as well. Just being able to have a sense of security to give my family would mean the world to me. I am very grateful to have organizations like yours available for us severely wounded veterans. It truly means the world to us.

This particular Wounded Veteran Home, located near a prominent university, offers convenient access to top-tier medical facilities and educational opportunities.

The sheer joy and relief on the family’s faces upon receiving their Wounded Veteran Home highlight the profound impact such donations have on military families.

Rita Unzner, executive director of HBAGC, learned of Mapson with help from the Veterans Administration. Also aiding in selecting Mapson was Operation Finally Home (OFH), a national 501(c)(3) that provides custom mortgage-free homes to wounded and disabled veterans and the widows of the fallen. Many manufacturers have contributed to the LIFEhouse. LP

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