We are proud to announce the completion of a deeply meaningful home modification project for Charles Ryan, a disabled veteran from Texas whose journey is marked by hardship, resilience, and unwavering strength.
Charles has lived through more than most could imagine. After losing his father at a young age, he took on the role of caregiver for his mother, who battled multiple sclerosis. By 18, Charles found himself homeless—but he never lost his sense of purpose. He enlisted in the Army, following in his father’s footsteps, and served with honor in telecommunications during Desert Storm, even after suffering hearing loss during basic training.
Today, Charles lives with chronic back pain, COPD, and severe PTSD. His mental health challenges are significant and stem from both his service and a life marked by loss and struggle. In the face of this, he found one small but powerful source of relief: warm, therapeutic baths. This daily ritual became a form of healing—one of the few moments when his mind and body could truly rest.
But his old bathroom wasn’t safe. Getting in and out of the tub was dangerous and exhausting. What should have been a calming part of his routine was instead a source of anxiety and risk.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, that has changed.
Charles now has a fully accessible bathroom—custom-designed to meet his needs and ensure he can safely continue the daily practice that brings him calm and comfort. This is more than a renovation. It is a turning point in his mental health journey. It is a space where he can breathe, release, and feel a sense of control in a life that has demanded so much of him.
We are especially grateful to Janet S. for generously sponsoring this project and making this transformation possible. And a heartfelt thank you to ExpoHome Improvement for their outstanding work, compassion, and attention to detail.
Together, you have given Charles more than just a bathroom, you have given him peace. You’ve created a space that supports not only his physical health, but his emotional and psychological healing.
For veterans like Charles, healing often happens in small, quiet moments, in the safety of their own home, in the stillness of a warm bath, in the feeling that they are seen, supported, and not alone.
After...
