Watch the videoKerry Pemberton, a veteran of the Army National Guard, has faced a lifetime of physical and emotional challenges with courage and determination. Born in Tallahassee, Florida, and raised in Hackensack, New Jersey, Kerry was a dedicated athlete throughout his youth, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. His dream was to attend college, join the service, and enroll in the OCS program to become an officer. Despite setbacks in college, Kerry joined the Army National Guard and completed basic training with multiple honors, earning the nickname “Conan” for his strength and relentless drive.
After a successful 15-year career at Ford Motor Company, Kerry’s health began to decline. He was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis and now lives with chronic heart failure, major depression, sleep apnea, tinnitus, hypertension, and many other ailments. He has lost use of his left side extremities and experiences profound weakness throughout his body, requiring the full-time care of his wife for daily living activities. Kerry spends most of his days in a motorized wheelchair or bed, and his mental health is often challenged by the limitations of his condition.
Kerry’s home environment has become increasingly unsafe. He has fallen out of his wheelchair multiple times in the bathroom, and the current layout—tight turns, a step into the shower, and walls in the way—makes basic hygiene nearly impossible. He has resorted to sponge baths and cannot safely use the shower, limiting his independence and affecting his dignity.
Project Scope: Making Kerry’s Home Accessible
Homes for Veterans is stepping in with a project that will transform Kerry’s bathroom into a safe, fully accessible space:
Widening the entry for wheelchair access
Removing the soaker tub
Adjusting plumbing for better maneuverability
Installing grab bars and a teak shower seat
Adding a handheld shower head
Installing non-slip flooring and new tile
Reconfiguring the shower to face the right direction and removing the obstructing wall
This $18,000 renovation will allow Kerry’s wife to safely assist him with bathing, toileting, and grooming. It will also provide Kerry with the independence and dignity he deserves every day. In the future, he hopes to install a pool for aquatic therapy, which has already been approved by the VA, giving him a safe way to strengthen his body and manage his symptoms without leaving home.
Kerry shared, "I am confined to a wheelchair and experience pain each and every day. My wife is my caregiver, and these modifications will help her care for me safely.”
We are so grateful to Big Willow Construction for executing this project with ease, completing it quickly, and delivering a beautiful job that will make a real difference in Kerry’s life.
