Coalition Donors Rebuild Home for Paralyzed Sailor

Petty Officer Pete Herrick and his family are finally living in a newly-renovated handicapped accessible home thanks to the generosity of thousands of Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes donors.

The specially-equipped home will allow Herrick and his family to rebuild their lives after the shattering injuries Herrick suffered in the line of duty.

Herrick joined the Naval reserves as a Seabee in July of 2001 after a successful career as a specialty carpenter. 

During his first mission as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, the convoy he was riding in came under a furious mortar assault.

Five of Herrick’s fellow soldiers were killed in the attack and another 33 were wounded.

Among the wounded was Pete Herrick.

One piece of shrapnel tore through his chest and lodged in his lung, another punctured his neck and damaged his spinal cord.  In addition, he suffered multiple wounds to his right arm and both legs.

Herrick underwent a series of surgeries, first in Germany and then again back in the United States.  He awoke from his last surgery to find himself paralyzed from the neck down and his left leg amputated.

For over a year, Herrick was hospitalized and his wife Diana was forced to juggle taking care of the couple’s children and helping her husband with his recovery. 

Finally, Pete was able to leave the hospital and return home.

Adjusting to life at home was difficult for Peter.  Daily routines were now chores.  Taking a shower, opening cupboards and turning lights on and off were no longer easy tasks.
           
An employee at a hospital where Pete was rehabilitating from his injuries referred the Herrick’s to the Coalition.  Diana attended a Road to Recovery Conference in Florida and shortly afterwards, the Coalition offered to help with the enormous costs of refitting the Herrick’s home for the wheelchair bound vet.
           
“The Coalition helps in many ways, according to your special needs and how your injuries affect you and your family,” Dianna said.      

“They allowed us to focus on adjusting our family to the situation instead of focusing on financial issues.”