Gary Sinise’s Foundation Gave A Smart Home To Wounded Veteran Who Lost His Legs In Service

Jul 25, 2023 by apost team

Gary Sinise is an award-winning actor who has won several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Tony Award and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, in recognition of his acting prowess. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 1994 epic romantic comedy-drama "Forrest Gump."

Besides getting nominated for an Academy Award, Sinise's portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in "Forrest Gump," endeared him to servicemen and women in the military community. The world tends to forget about all the veterans and soldiers who put their lives on the line trying to defend their country. It's easy to congratulate them after a victory and even easier not to give them enough credit for the hardships they go through.

However, due to Sinise's endearment to veterans, he understood the plight of servicemen and women who were rendered disabled in the course of their service. He understood that many veterans would lose limbs, get life-altering injuries, suffer from post-traumatic stress and may even lose their lives in worse situations. Sinise did more than empathize with this group of veterans; in 2011, he founded the Gary Sinise Foundation, a charitable non-profit organization that caters to the needs of wounded veterans of the military.

For decades, Sinise has dedicated himself to ensuring that army veterans, soldiers and defenders get the care and attention they need after war. So in typical Sinise fashion, when he heard of Retired U.S. Army Captain Jake Murphy's service, he decided to give him a home suited to his needs. On March 21, 2019, a video from the Gary Sinise Foundation showed the house presentation to the wounded veteran.

Murphy knew it was his destiny to join the U.S. Army when he received a recruiting call from the lacrosse coach of the U.S. Military. He heeded the call, and after graduation from West Point, he was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as the executive officer of his platoon.

While on a mission in Afghanistan, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated under him, blowing off his left foot and sending him into a coma for some time. Murphy was immediately evacuated to Germany for medical intervention. It was in Germany that the doctors informed the family that there was a possibility that he might not slip out of a coma. His right leg was amputated in Germany. After about four weeks of being in a coma, Murphy regained consciousness. After that, he was flown to the Walter Reed Medical Center, where his left leg was amputated, making him a double amputee.

With sheer determination and the constant encouragement of his wife, Murphy learned to walk using prosthetic legs. However, adapting to a house unsuited to his new reality proved difficult for the retired veteran. Fortunately, the Gary Sinise Foundation's R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment) program learned about Murphy's service and honored him with a smart home suited to his new reality. 

Unlike their previous home, the smart home was designed with features that enabled Murphy to spend time out of his wheelchair. The spaces were larger, and the fixtures in the house, including the bathroom fittings, flooring, and lighting system, were designed to help Murphy perform tasks he previously couldn’t do. Murphy's life has been transformed thanks to the foundation's assistance. 

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What do you think of Gary Sinise’s Foundation honoring Jack Murphy and his family with a smart home? What are your thoughts on the actor's dedication to helping wounded veterans for their service to the country? Let us know — and pass this article on to friends, family members and Gary Sinise fans.