LINCOLNTON, Ga (WJBF) – Retired Army Captain Joseph Caley, who lost his leg while serving in Iraq, has received a new wheelchair-accessible home in the CSRA, thanks to the non-profit organization Homes For Our Troops.
The organization, dedicated to building specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans, celebrated the completion of its 416th home, marking the first of its kind in the CSRA. This new home will allow Joseph Caley to regain independence and ease the caregiving burden on his family.
“It’s an opportunity to help the American people give back to these veterans who have been so badly injured in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Bill Ivey, Executive Director of Homes For Our Troops. “It’s not just the veterans, it’s the spouse, it’s the kids. The spouses actually assume a caregiver role when their veteran comes home this badly injured.”
Mary Caley, Joseph’s wife, expressed relief and gratitude, saying, “It’ll be nice, not just taking a little bit of the load off of me and off of our kids, but also kind of giving that back to him. That independence of, you don’t need us to do this for you, and you’ll be able to do it for yourself.”
Joseph Caley described the experience of entering their new home as overwhelming, stating, “It’s very impressive. The amount of engineering where everything is set up perfect. I can live a long life, still be a part of the family where I can get around in the house whether it be in a prosthetic or a wheelchair, it’s phenomenal. They saw the need and to us that meant a lot.”
Homes For Our Troops has been actively working to support veterans who have suffered severe injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan by providing them with homes that cater to their specific needs. This initiative not only helps the veterans but also supports their families by reducing the physical and emotional burdens of caregiving.
The Caley family’s previous home was a two-story structure that posed significant challenges for Joseph, who was unable to navigate stairs or perform daily household tasks due to his injury. The new home is designed to be fully accessible, allowing him to move freely and participate more actively in family life.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a moment of celebration and gratitude, with cheers from those in attendance as the Caley family entered their new home. The event highlighted the community’s support and appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans like Joseph Caley.
The new home provided by Homes For Our Troops represents a significant step towards independence and improved quality of life for Joseph Caley and his family. The organization’s efforts continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of veterans and their loved ones.
If you wish to learn more about Homes For Our Troops you can find the link here.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJBF. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJBF staff before being published.
