DESTIN — Air Force Master Sgt. Joe Deslauriers and his wife Lisa are looking forward to finally having a home of their own.
Two years after the explosion that took Deslauriers’ legs and his left hand, they are ready to settle down.
Learn more about Deslauriers and his family. >>
On Friday, the organization Building Homes for Heroes will host a fundraiser to help them.
The group already has purchased property in the Emerald Bay subdivision in Destin, and hopes to break ground on a 3,000-square-foot home next month.
“When you are a wounded warrior and the family of a wounded warrior, for a long time you are just living out of a suitcase, going from hospital to hospital,” said Kelly Hale, the wife of retired Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Hale and the Emerald Coast’s representative for Building Homes for Heroes. “Stability becomes huge.”
The house will be equipped with a wheelchair ramp, an elevator and a pool and gym so Deslauriers can keep fit, which is especially important for a triple amputee.
It also will feature 5-foot diameter turnaround spaces so he can maneuver his wheelchair without slamming into things — something Deslauriers says he constantly does in the one-bedroom apartment where his family lives now.
The benefit will run from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Hard Rock Café at Destin Commons. There will be food, a live band, speakers and a silent auction.
Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door.
TO LEARN MORE: For more information about the fundraiser, contact Kelly Hale at 850-377-7121 or at kelly.hale@buildinghomesforheroes.org.
