The kitchen in SPC Rob Kislow III's new home.
A soldier who was severely injured in Afghanistan now has a wheelchair-accessible home in Pennsylvania, thanks to "Homes For Our Troops" with help from HomerWood Premium Hardwood Flooring.
Kislow first returned home to a house in Danielsville, Pa., with narrow hallways and too-high counters, making it difficult to get around. On more than one occasion, according to Kislow, his living situation sent him back to the hospital when a fall injured him and damaged his prosthetics.
His new home, just completed at the end of 2011, is wheelchair-accessible and features an open layout, wheelchair-friendly bathroom and durable HomerWood hardwood floors. The home provides maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently after returning injured from service.
As a major contributor to the project, HomerWood Premium Hardwood Flooring donated more than 2700 feet of White Oak hardwood flooring. “Simple changes can make all the difference in the spaces we live in every day, and having the right floor surface, whether it’s to enhance your home’s style, value or just improve your lifestyle, is important,” said Kathy Barker, director of operations, HomerWood. “Things like the thickness of the flooring become very important when you consider that the thresholds need to be a smooth transition, so that an individual in a wheel chair is not hindered every time he/she goes over it.”
“HomerWood is known for our authentic Character floors, 100% made in America, and we are so pleased to be able to give back to our veterans who’s own strength of character have given so much to all of us,” Barker added.
SPC Kislow’s vision of a perfect home was fulfilled when the national nonprofit Homes for Our Troops, which builds homes for seriously injured post 9/11 veterans at no cost to them, gathered hundreds of volunteers and hundreds of thousands in donated supplies and furnishings to work on Kislow's home. The charity has built more than 100 homes for severely injured veterans since 2004.
“’Homes For Our Troops’ couldn’t exist without the commitment and supplies provided by our volunteers, like HomerWood. These kinds of donations make it possible for us to help veterans, at no cost to them,” said John Gonsalves, president and founder, Homes For Our Troops.
In a whirlwind three days, a build brigade descended on the property to construct the roof, doors and windows, creating a weather-tight shell, Kislow said. In the following months, the interior work was completed and the Kislow family moved into their new home at the end of 2011.
Today, Kislow is focused on helping other veterans. He's earned an automotive technology degree at Northampton Community College and is working on finishing two others.
For more information on "Homes For Our Troops," visit www.homesforourtroops.org. For more information on HomerWood, please visit www.homerwood.com.
