The Associated Press is reporting that Michelle Obama on Monday helped finish renovating the home of a wounded Afghanistan War veteran that was retrofitted through a charitable venture called Heroes at Home. She was accompanied by Jill Biden.
The story says that the first floor of Army Sgt. Johnny Agbi's narrow three-story rowhouse has been transformed, with wide entrances, a spacious kitchen with new appliances and a large, accessible bathroom. It was completed with a $100,000 donation through Heroes at Home.
Agbi, 32, was the 1,000th veteran whose home was renovated under the program, which began in 2007 and is a joint venture between the nonprofit Rebuilding Together and Sears Holding Corp.
The Army medic was wounded in Afghanistan in 2004 when his transport helicopter was attacked as he was helping two badly wounded soldiers on board. He was shot and fell more than 10 feet off a ledge, shattering his back and injuring his brain. He uses a wheelchair but can walk short distances with the aid of a cane.
"They told me I would never walk again," said Agbi, the son of a Mexican immigrant and a native of El Paso, Texas. "I'm walking — not very fast."
Agbi said the changes to his home have made a big difference in his life. He bought the house five years ago while he was undergoing rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He initially turned down the renovation because he felt other veterans deserved it more. But he changed his mind, in part to serve as an example to other veterans that it's OK to accept help.
Applause to Michelle Obama for helping war veterans who have been hit hard by the economic downturn. Many of their voices have been drowned out as they return home to a lack of jobs, housing and health care. It's good that charities are joining forces to help them try to get their lives back on track.
Read more at CBS News.
In other news: L.A. County Jails: Beatings and Cover-Ups.