Disabled Army veteran gets new home

Homes For Our Troops builds homes outfitted for injured veterans

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – Army Sgt. First Class Edgar Barrera lost both legs and his left hand when an improvised explosive device exploded in Panjwai, Afghanistan, in July 2012.

"My guys were rushing me to the helicopter to get medevaced. Once they got me on the Blackhawk, (I got) a quick dose of morphine and (I) passed out," Barrera said.

He said one thought more than any other helped him cling to life: "My kids."

His wife, Lucy, was on a family vacation with her in-laws. She knew something was wrong when the call came.

"On the other end was the Dept. of Army Casualty Assistance. They told me that he was missing two legs and an arm," Lucy Barrera said.

She knew her husband was in surgery in Germany and couldn't talk. She asked the nurses for a favor.

"Just whisper in his ear that I'm proud that he made it and that he needs to come home," Lucy Barrera said.

The nurse told Lucy Barrera that her husband tried to open his eyes.

"That's all I needed. Because I knew he was gonna fight, continue to fight to get home," Lucy Barrera said.

Edgar Barrera eventually made it home.

And like many veterans who return to the United States after fighting overseas, Edgar Barrera had to make a lot of adjustments. For instance, trying to get around a home not built for people who use a wheelchair. 

"It's ugly. (The home) looks like a war zone with a wheelchair," the former platoon sergeant said.

But the Barreras caught a break.

The nonprofit Homes For Our Troops built them a new home in New Braunfels.

Edgar Barrera said he was amazed by the efforts of the builders.

"They blew it out of the park," he said.

The home features dozens of special adaptations, including widened doorways and hallways for wheelchair access and a roll-in shower. Kitchen amenities that include pull-down shelving and lowered countertops were also included.

Edgar Barrera compared his old, largely unmodified home to his new home.

"Everything is set for a person with limbs, you can walk in, walk out. Yes, we had to do a few modifications," he said, speaking of his old home. "Here, I can do a 360 (degrees) in the bathroom and not hit any walls."

For more information on Homes For Our Troops or Edgar Barrera, click here.