IN PROGRESS

Dez Del Barba was born and raised in Stockton, California. Del Barba is the product of a military family. His Mother is a Combat Veteran, who served over 20 years in the United States Army, and his father was a Correctional Officer at Deuel Vocational Institute near Tracy, California. 

Army Specialist Dez Del Barba enlisted in the United States Army in October of 2018. He took a leave of absence during his last semester at Sonoma State University in order to complete basic training. During the five weeks of basic training, Del Barba contracted streptococcus A, which went untreated and then evolved into necrotizing fasciitis. His condition worsened, resulting in the amputation of his left leg just above the knee, damage to his right leg, damage to his underarms, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Del Barba underwent 43 total surgeries, spent 100 days in the ICU, as well as numerous months working on physical, occupational, and mental health therapy.

Currently, Del Barba lives in San Diego, California. He spends his time playing wheelchair tennis. Del Barba has traveled across the world playing in various wheelchair tennis tournaments. He hopes one day to represent the United States of America in the Paralympic games. He has also started a non-profit organization with his family: Operation Dez Strong (ODS). ODS assists amputee children ages 4 to 18 with financial and emotional assistance for their prosthetic limbs. 

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation will provide Dez Del Barba with a mortgage-free smart home through the Smart Home Program. 

PHOTOS