A Bay Area solider who is paralyzed from the waist down gets a gift that will change his life. 

  •  Paralyzed Purple Heart veteran receives new home
  • Army Master Sergeant George Vera gets new home in Land O' Lakes
  • Home provided by Building Homes for Heroes charity

Army Master Sergeant George Vera received a brand new home in Land O’ Lakes, courtesy of the “Building Homes for Heroes” charity. 

“It looks amazing!” Vera exclaimed as he entered the home for the first time with his family on Saturday.  “Wow. It’s very overwhelming. It’s a beautiful house.”

Vera is wheelchair bound. The 20-year veteran’s was severely injured when his base came under attack in Kabul in 2015. 

“When I was shot that night, I felt everything from my belly button down go numb. I knew I couldn’t move anything.”

After months of recovery, his wife Angela got a call on Christmas that year that the organization “Building Homes for Heroes” was going to help them out. 

“I love my husband with all my heart. I love my family. This is the plan God has for us,” Angela said in a ceremony dedicating the house on Saturday. 

The home is totally accessible for Vera. It includes features like a walk-in shower, ramps, accessible swimming pool and a streamlined kitchen that allows him to cook and clean. 

“I can do everything in the kitchen. I can cook. Unfortunately I can clean dishes,” Vera said as he laughed. “I can reach everything. It takes a lot of pressure off Angela and I can help out more.”

In addition, AT&T decorated the home for Christmas. 

“I think hearts are speaking to each other,” said Sherry Simon, with AT&T Veterans. “This is all about doing something for a man who has made a huge sacrifice for all of us.”

Now in time for the holidays, George Vera and his family have a place to call home. 

“It provides me and my family with mobility and a lot of freedom,” Vera said. 

 “Building Homes for Heroes” has raised money and given homes to disabled veterans around the country. This house was built by William Bryan Homes.