A Hero’s New Home: Hope After Tragedy

At home, Navy Chief Kenton was a devoted husband and father. On the job, he executed one of the most dangerous jobs during war---finding and deactivating I.E.D’s.  He deployed multiple times to the front lines.  In 2017, Kenton was sweeping for bombs in Seria when an I.E.D exploded. His wife Lindsey remembers the call.         

Lindsey says, “there was a lot of emotions, you know, were running on high. And just in shock and didn't know how to, you know, really process it.”      

Kenton was transported to Texas.  When Lindsey arrived at the hospital, she had no idea what to expect.       

Lindsey admits, “I was scared of actually to go in, like, what's he going to look like? Thoughts were going through my head.  Is he going to wake up and even remember us?”

Kenton was paralyzed from the neck down and unable to talk above a whisper.  After several months, the family returned home and began adjusting to their new norm. That included a nursing staff around the clock.  Kenton, powers his wheelchair by blowing into a pipe.  However, it was impossible to maneuver through his home because the hallway and doors were too narrow. He was often left out of family activities because he simply couldn’t get into the room.      

Lindsey explains, “in our current situation he is in his bedroom or literally in the living room.  He doesn’t have many options to go anywhere.”

The family was selected by the Gary Sinise foundation to build a custom home to accommodate Kenton. CBN’s helping the home front learned they needed several financial backers and we wanted to be involved.  Gary himself called Kenton and Lindsey.       

Lindsey says, “I was in shock. I couldn't believe like that he was calling. And he just told us the most amazing news.”        

Construction soon began on the family’s home.  Then, the day finally arrived.
The GSF rep states during they ceremony, “you see these banner here and a banner back there, it takes a great team of individuals, businesses, Americans, to build these homes.”

The family was overwhelmed walking through their custom built home for the first time.  Along with beautiful bedrooms for the kids, it included  large hallways, and doors to accommodate Kenton. 

Lindsey says, “since he’s been home he hasn’t been able to tell the kids good night. They always have to come down and say goodnight and then go upstairs and go to bed.  But when the girls saw their room they said, “now daddy can come in and say good night”.        

The lift mechanism was also a huge improvement.

Lindsey explains, “this is going to make his life easier getting into the wheelchair and out of the wheelchair at night and also allowing him to take a shower.  This is the biggest shower.  I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Kenton and his family settled in to their new home, knowing that it wouldn’t have been possible without caring people to make it happen.

Kenton whispers, “We are so grateful for the Gary Sinise Foundation and CBN for their support and love. It really shows how much people still care.”