Injured soldier to get adapted home

FALLBROOK – The national nonprofit organization Homes for our Troops will donate a home in Fallbrook to Army Spc. Joseph Paulk Saturday, Sept. 7. Paulk was severely injured while serving in Afghanistan.

Shuttles will transport attendees to the home site from Fallbrook High School, 2400 S. Stage Coach Lane, beginning at 8:45 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The public is welcome to attend and tour the home after the ceremony.

During his first deployment, Paulk was serving with the 546th Military Police Company in southern Afghanistan when his convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device, July 5, 2007. Paulk sustained burns to over 80% of his body and lost all of his fingers.

Paulk's new home features more than 40 major special adaptations such as widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower and kitchen amenities that include pull-down shelving and lowered countertops. The home will also alleviate the mobility and safety issues associated with a traditional home, including navigating a wheelchair through narrow hallways or over thresholds, riding on carpets or reaching for cabinets that are too high.

Homes for our Troops will donate the home to Paulk, thanks to contributions from donors, supporters and corporate partners.

"I greatly appreciate what Homes for our Troops and its supporters are doing for veterans by helping them have homes that are adapted to their needs and enable them to live more comfortably and independently," Paulk said.

Currently, there are 85 active projects in need of funding to complete. To find out more on how to get involved or make a donation, visit http://www.hfotusa.org.

Learn more about Paulk's story and watch his video at http://www.hfotusa.org/paulk.

Submitted by Homes for our Troops.