Tunnel To Towers Foundation Delivers Mortgage-Free Smart Home to Injured USMC Veteran

Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the city of Heath, TX, welcome USMC Staff Sergeant James Carey and his family into their new home

HEATH, TEXAS [July 19, 2024] — On July 19th, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation celebrated the dedication of a new mortgage-free smart home for injured USMC Staff Sergeant James Carey and his family.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of local residents and featured speakers, such as Deputy District Director for Congressman Pat Fallon, Erik Simien; Director of the Heath, TX Department of Public Safety, Chief Brandon Seery; Heath, TX Home Depot Manager, Chris Rangel; MasterBrand Representative Trevor Neff; Mohawk Flooring District Manager of Residential Sales Joshua Rancourt; and Overhead Doors Business Development Manager Anndi Couture. 

SSgt Carey enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2005, inspired by his grandfather’s Marine service. 

SSgt Carey’s life changed forever on July 9th, 2009. During a recon training exercise at Camp Pendleton, he lost consciousness and nearly drowned, resulting in an anoxic brain injury that left him in a coma for three months. He lost his vision, suffered a traumatic brain injury, and is now dealing with dementia, limited use of his hands, and reduced mobility. 

The family’s current home has narrow doorways and hallways, making it difficult to get from room to room. His new smart home will be completely accessible with zero thresholds, uniform flooring, and wider doorways to make daily life easier. 

SSgt Carey stated, “This home will change my life, and I am so grateful to have a house that will be built just for me with the smart features that should make my daily life so much better.”

The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program builds specially adapted, smart homes to help our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders live more comfortably and independently.

SSgt Carey’s smart home has been designed to give him greater independence inside his house. 

• The home has motorized front and garage doors with keyless entry to make getting into and out of his home easier.
• Zero thresholds and wider hallways ensure safe navigation throughout the home.
• ADA-compliant master bathroom with smart toilet and a roll-in shower.
• The kitchen is equipped with an adjustable-height stove, drawer microwave, and lowered wall oven.
• Smart technology controls essential features such as temperature, lighting, sound system, and security via a smartphone app or touch screens installed throughout the house.

“This new home will not only provide James with the space, the comfort, and the technology to change his world for the better,” said SSgt Carey’s mother, Kim. “Thank you again from the bottom of my heart to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the sponsors who made this day possible for our family.”