We recently partnered with the Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E) program at the Gary Sinise Foundation on another smart home project for a very special recipient, U.S. Army Maj. Jeremy Haynes.

On a mission in Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 5, 2014, an Afghan Military Solider shot Haynes four times, including once in the back. The shot to his spine severed Haynes’ vena cava and 80 percent of the nerves to his lower extremities, paralyzing both his legs. Determined to overcome this disability, he has faced a long and painful recovery. 

We joined forces with the Gary Sinise Foundation, supported by Lutron, Yale Locks and a local home automation integrator (Innovative Audio & Video), along with numerous volunteers and contractors to build a new adaptive smart home to better suit Haynes’ needs.

Nortek Security and Control contributed the ELAN^® smart home control system and the components needed to provide distributed audio using SpeakerCraft^® speakers, distributed video, IP surveillance camera protection, complete 2GIG^® home security system, power conditioning and protection, thermostats and audio speakers.

Maj. Haynes expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all who participated. “Things that other people could do in 10 minutes, like take a bath, used to take me upwards of an hour,” he said. “Now thanks to the Gary Sinise Foundation and our new adaptive home I can live a normal life. There’s a big difference between a 24-inch door and a 36-inch door. Now I can maneuver my wheelchair into my children’s bedroom to tuck them in and kiss them good night. I am so eternally grateful.”

Read our full release and watch the emotional dedication video here.

 

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