SGM Jesse Acosta

Santa Fe Springs, CA

SGM Jesse Acosta lost his eyesight the morning of January 16, 2006 when a mortar hit twenty meters away. Just one piece of shrapnel severed both his optical nerves. He underwent 10 hours of emergency surgery that day to remove his right eye and to stabilize multiple facial fractures. He was transferred to Landstuhl Medical Center then to Walter Reed Medical Center for reconstructive surgeries.

Through his experience, Jesse sustains his remarkable attitude. As he was coming out of surgery he asked if everyone else was OK. When he found out everyone was fine he just said "good" and started to tell another senior Soldier to "take care of my troops."

He maintains an amazingly "can do" winning attitude throughout all that he has endured. Jesse is also making a difference - he will be speaking on behalf of the Blind Veterans Association in various locations in the USA.

Homes for Our Troops is proud to be able to help Jesse by making the home he already owns more accessible and safe for him to live in now that he is blind. Things such as:

- Remodel the entrance to make it easy for Jesse to enter his home.
- Expand the bathroom for manueverability
- Install hand rails and grab bars where needed.
- Change the flooring material so he does not trip

Photo Gallery

Click here to visit Jesse's personal photogallery

News and Updates

Blinded reservist finds new purpose Wounded by mortar in Iraq, soldier strives to get on with his life without sight but with some plans to help other wounded veterans.