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DISABLED VETERAN PREPARES FOR NEW DUTY AS A

HOMEOWNER -- Russ Marek slowly rises from his

wheelchair. He grips the walker with his left hand

while his prosthetic right arm locks onto the handle.

 

 

For background stories on Russ Marek, use the VA Watchdog search engine...click here...
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Story below:

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Disabled veteran preps for next duty: homeowner

Nonprofit building home for soldier injured in Iraq

BY R. NORMAN MOODY
FLORIDA TODAY

SATTELITE BEACH - Recovering from severe wounds suffered in the war in Iraq, Russ Marek slowly rises from his wheelchair. He grips the walker with his left hand while his prosthetic right arm locks onto the handle.

Marek, supported by the walker, shifts his weight from his scarred left leg to his prosthetic right leg, moving at a steady pace through the hallways of his parents' Satellite Beach home.

These small steps are taking the 35-year-old Army veteran closer toward the independence he's been fighting for.

After nearly two years of relying on others after he was injured, Marek is pushing himself to be ready when Homes for Our Troops, with the help of donors and volunteers, builds him a house in Suntree.

The organization recently bought the lot for the house and has lined up an early list of
supporters, from builders to suppliers. Additional help is needed before construction gets under way later this year.

"If I do it every day, I should get there," Marek said as he exercised. "It'll be easier. It's a day-to-day effort for recovery. I'm just trying to do stuff with my hand and my balance."

Roadside bomb

A staff sergeant with the 4th Battalion, 164th Armor Regiment of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, Marek was critically wounded Sept. 16, 2005, when a powerful roadside bomb ripped through his M1A1 Abrams tank.

He lost his right leg and right arm and suffered a brain injury and burns over 20 percent of his body, as well as other injuries.

He spent months in military and veterans hospitals. His weight fell to 117 pounds as recently as a year ago, but is now back to his normal weight of about 170.

A year ago, Marek's movements were much more limited and his speech was slurred and slow. But now, he proudly shows off how he can walk, and his speech has improved.

"If he makes the same amount of progress that he made last year this coming year, I have no doubt he can be independent," said his mother, Rose. "It's a wonderful thing they are doing for him."

Homes for Our Troops is a non-profit organization that seeks donations of money, building materials and professional labor.

The national group coordinates the building of new homes or converts existing ones to make them handicapped accessible for use by severely wounded troops.

Marek's new house will be built in Capron Ridge in Suntree on a lot bought at a discount from Sun Castle Homes.

The property taxes Marek will have to pay on the house will be low because of exemptions he should receive, Rose Marek said.

Positive outlook

Marek is optimistic about his continued recovery and takes the five-days-a-week pushing from therapists in stride. On weekends, he works out with family members in their home swimming pool.

"The thing that has truly been awesome to me is his attitude," Rose Marek said. "I can't figure out where he's gotten his inner strength."

His father, Paul, said, "He doesn't complain. It's his inner strength, it's his discipline."

Marek still has a lot to do. He must relearn tasks such as using a computer mouse and typing and is slated to undergo surgery on Sept. 11 to repair tissue where his arm was amputated. It should allow for a better fit of his prosthetic arm.

Marek said he wants people who are concerned about him to know that his condition is improving and he feels good about his progress. He's also grateful for the support.

"It's nice that somebody else is looking out for the severely injured," he said. "The guys from Vietnam, they got nothing. They got spat on. Now, people are trying to help."

 

Homes for Our Troops still needs materials and services for the Russ Marek house. For more information, call local coordinator Russ Gambill at 917-6409.

Needed

1. General contractor

2. Site work and excavation

3. Concrete

4. Clean fill

5. Portable toilet

6. Dumpster disposal services

7. Misc. rental equipment

8. Lumber

9. General labor

10. Roofing materials

11. Siding

12. Drywall work

13. Plumbing materials

14. Sheetrock

15. Cabinetry

16. Countertops

17. Driveway

18. Interior/exterior doors and millwork

19. Paint

20. Paint laborers

21. Gutters

22. Lighting

23. Flooring, carpet, wood and tile

24. Irrigation system



Donations

1. Blinds of All Kinds Donate and install all window and door blinds

2. Clear Shield of Indian River County Inc. Donate and install hurricane shutters.

3. Palm Bay Aluminum Corp Donate and install aluminum screen porch

4. Ramco Electric Electrical contractor and installation

5. JAS Electrical Contractor 6. J&T Insulation Donate and install insulation

7. Existing Structures Engineering Inc.

8. Newvisions Landscaping

9. Engineering and Design MetalCon and Home Design Services

10. Simonton Windows Windows

11. Hy-Lite Products Interior acrylic block

12. Fypon Inc. Interior trim

13. Dixie Pacific Fiberglass interior/exterior columns

14. Moen Kitchen and bath fixtures, ADA compliant safety accessories

15. Roadway Trucking (moving home structure to storage)

16. Florida Moving Systems Storage of structure

17. A&P Plumbing

18. World Electric Supply Supply electrical materials

19. Fire Equipment Services Donate and install fire suppression system

20. Cathy Mire Post-cleanup of home

21. Remar Cleaning Site cleanup, dumpster disposal

22. Hollywood Limousine Limo service

23. Joe Valdastri- Volunteer laborer services

24. A/C and Heating WyseChoice A/C and Heating, donate and install A/C system

Contact Moody at 242-3651 or nmoody@floridatoday.com.

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Larry Scott  --