Wounded veteran and family surprised with new Antioch home

ANTIOCH – Thanks to the kick-start of an anonymous donor, a severely wounded U.S. military veteran and his family learned at a surprise announcement June 21 that they will move into a a new mortgage-free  home in Antioch on Aug. 18.

U.S. Army Spc. Nick Mapson is the  recipient of the home. Mapson suffered debilitating injuries in Afghanistan in July 2004.

The home accommodates the unique needs of a wounded veteran and is located in Antioch’s Newport Cove community, on the Chain O’ Lakes.

New American Homes, a custom-home building business along with Operation Finally Home and local businesses have made the home possible, with help from the anonymous donor who gave $200,000 to the cause.

Operation Family Home is a nonprofit that works with various organizations and businesses to provide custom-made, mortgage-free homes to wounded and disabled veterans.
While in Afghanistan, Mapson was driving a truck that was blown up by anti-tank mines. In the explosion's aftermath, Mapson was trapped in the truck, became drenched in diesel fuel and caught on fire. He forced open a door to escape the burning truck, put out the fire that engulfed him, and without medication endured the wait for a helicopter pickup and subsequent hour-long ride to a hospital.
He was placed in a medically induced coma, stabilized and flown to Germany, where his parents were asked to come to say goodbye because of Mapson's critical injuries. But he survived and was flown to Texas for medical treatment.

The explosion and subsequent fire left him with third-degree burns to his face, arms and hands, much hearing loss, reduction in eyesight, back-disc bulging, herniation and other injuries.
Just as bravely as Mapson defended his country he has fought through his injuries, undergoing numerous skin grafts and continuing rehabilitation during months in hospitals. He experiences constant pain, especially in his hands, which lack a range of motion.

He earned a Purple Heart and other U.S. commendations for his meritorious service.

Mapson is one of the more than 48,000 U.S. veterans who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the United States Department of Defense.

Mapson, his wife and two children will be moving from their Sugar Grove home to Antioch Aug. 18.
Mapson, in his application for the home, wrote, "Life would be a lot easier with handles and grips to hold onto, and the user-friendly equipment would greatly help as well. Just being able to have a sense of security to give my family would mean the world to me. I am very grateful to have organizations like yours available for us severely wounded veterans. It truly means the world to us."

The ranch-style home, at 1,992 square feet plus a finished basement, features an open floor plan with wide doorways and circulation areas. The specially designed entrances, kitchen and bathrooms are accessible for a physically challenged veteran.

Among the features adding to livability are multi-level cabinetry, lever door handles, stair handrails with lighting beneath, alternating colored low-pile carpet on stairs, hardwood flooring, no-slip porcelain tile, accessible light switches and outlets and appliances accessible from a sitting level. The home incorporates predominantly made-in-America products, such as easy-maintenance engineered wood siding.

The site of the LIFEhouse announcement was The Highlands of Elgin at the annual golf event of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago and Residential Construction Employers Council, Chicago.

This home is part of the national Touchdown for Homes project and locally involves the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago, the Chicago NFL Players Association Former Players Chapter (of which Reggie Smith is president) and New American Homes.

Susanne Tauke, president of New American Homes, said, “The anonymous donor was overwhelmed with emotion after reading Nick Mapson’s story. The donor chose Nick for the LIFEhouse, and like everyone associated with this effort is extremely grateful for his sacrifices.”

Tauke will meet with Mapson to determine if the home can be customized even more to serve his needs.
Smith said, "We have been delighted to participate in this effort, helping bring attention to the needs of wounded veterans and to create visibility about the LIFEhouse. Former NFL players are devoted to giving back in the communities that have supported us. We honor the great sacrifices of our wounded veterans."