October 9, 2019

Homes for Our Troops and Rev-A-Shelf‘s Southeast Territory Representative Chris Justice and country legend and HFOT spokesperson Wynonna Judd welcomed Sgt Bryan Camacho and his family to their new home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, last month.

“I’m witnessing a miracle and it’s so overwhelming, I can’t believe it. I’m speechless,” said Judd. “He just has a place now to heal, that’s what matters, right? He served our country and stood in the front line so we wouldn’t have to.”

On Dec. 21, 2007, Camacho, serving as an infantryman with the 1-87 Infantry, 10^th Mountain Division, was searching for an ammunition cache with his unit in Hawija, Iraq, when another patrol in a nearby village was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED).  Camacho and his unit were attempting to respond when his vehicle ran over a secondary IED. The blast threw him from the turret of the vehicle, breaking his back and paralyzing him from the waist down.

Once back in the United States, Camacho underwent rigorous therapy at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, and the Kessler Institute in West Orange, New Jersey. After a year and a half of hard work, he became completely independent in a manual wheelchair.

A few years later, he faced a major setback in his recovery. On Nov. 15, 2014, Camacho’s adapted truck spun out on ice and rolled into a ditch, breaking his neck and paralyzing him from the neck down. The injury took away the independence he had worked so hard to regain. Despite overcoming two injuries, he continues to pursue his hobbies and interests. He works with a roller derby team that raises money for local animal shelters and children’s programs. He enjoys attending church and going to movies and concerts.

Though Camacho strives to lead an active life, he still experiences restrictions within his own home. Because of the limited accessibility in his current living situation, he has to stay in bed most of the time. A custom, specially adapted Homes For Our Troops home with an open floorplan and accessible bathrooms and shower will give him more independence.

“In a better environment, I will be able to get out more and pursue my hobbies,” he said.

Camacho said he cannot believe there are HFOT donors and sponsors willing to contribute to the building of his specially adapted custom home, adding that he appreciates any amount given.

“This is such a terrific organization, and I am so glad that Rev-A-Shelf continues to partner with them,” said Justice.