Community Builds Home For Disabled Georgia Soldier

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It's not what Joshua Lindsey signed up for. He wanted to be a solider...and serve his country. He had planned a full life for himself after he returned from duty. Instead he will spend the rest of that life dealing with injuries that nearly killed him. But Joshua Lindsey is not alone. An entire Forsyth county community has got his back.

You don't see much homebuilding these days: here near Cumming...or anywhere else. But this is a special home. And this is a special crew.

"I'm absolutely impressed and amazed even in this tough economy" said Jefferson Georgia homebuilder Mark Rudolph, "especially how it has impacted the construction business, how many people have stepped forward."

Local home builder Scott Fendley has stepped forward...and brought his crew with him.

"We try to help out in our community as much as we can" Scott Fendley. "And I asked all my crew and they was all willing to come."

Almost all the materials are donated. Everyone here is volunteering. They are doing it for this man...Joshua Lindsey.

"Great, wonderful...young man" said Larry Archer, of the organization "Homes For Our Troops". "And a great human being."

In February of two thousand five, Corporal Joshua Lindsey was on patrol in Iraq...and attacked.

"I got blown up twice and shot twice in the side" Joshua Lindsey recounted.

His insides were ripped up...his legs severely injured. Doctors saved his life...but not his ability to walk.

"You can sit around and wonder why this has happened to you for years, and stay stuck in a stagnant life" Joshua Lindsey said. "Or you can figure out your limitations and learn to live around them."

One thing Joshua Lindsey cannot do is get around a conventionally built house. That's why a group called "Homes For Our Troops" is building this one for him.

"The entire home is designed for his independence" Larry Archer said, "where he does not have to be dependent upon anybody to live in his own home."

Founded by a man who wanted to help his friend who came home disabled from Iraq, "Homes For Our Troops" identifies soldiers in need...and builds handicapped accessible houses for them...for free.

"It's amazing" said Joshua Lindsey as he watched the construction around him. "I mean the whole community turned out to build me a house."

"Homes For Our Troops" has already built more than fifty homes...with thirty five under construction. They depend on volunteers and donations. Joshua Lindsey joined the army to get away from Georgia. Now he knows this is where his home will always be.