RICHLANDS, N.C. (WNCT) – You’ve heard the saying “Home is Where the Heart Is.” Now those words couldn’t be more true for one disabled veteran right here in the east. The retired marine now has a new home thanks to a group of people who know all too well what he’s going through.
It’s been a rough journey for Jim Davis. The E-4 marine served during Desert Storm in the 90s and made it out physically unharmed. But when he returned back to Camp Lejeune for his second enlistment, a tragic accident changed everything.
"I was hit by a Humvee when me and my wife were leaving the base and that ruined my military career,” said Davis.
The accident paralyzed Davis from the knees down. Since then, he’s experienced long term effects. Davis suffers from ALS and Spinal Neuropathy. And to make matters worse, last summer his family home was destroyed in a fire.
"We had a break in and they decided to cover their tracks with arson,” he said.
But now thanks to a group called “Purple Heart Homes” Davis will have an improved way of life. Co-founder Dale Beatty says it hasn’t been hard to relate to Davis – being that, he too, is a disabled vet. It was his own experiences that jumpstarted the project.
"Being in the hospital for a year and then returning home and finding a real sense of volunteerism and support from my community to help me build a house,” said Beatty.
With help from New Day Financial and Clayton Homes, Purple Heart homes was able to build Davis a brand new handicap accessible house. Davis says the kindness of strangers has been incredible.
"When you look out and you don’t know anybody and they’re working on your home because they want to -- you can't describe that feeling.”
He says to say thank you simply doesn’t seem like enough.
“Sometimes it's hard to put into words how you feel. Thank you seems like such a nonchalant term but there's really no other words to say,” he said.”
Davis hopes to be fully moved in to his new home by the end of the week
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement