100 Homes, 100 Heroes: Honoring Sgt. Shane Parsons, Home #85
As the Gary Sinise Foundation marks the milestone of our 100th specially adapted smart home through our home building initiative, we pause to honor the veterans whose stories embody resilience, sacrifice, and hope. One such hero is U.S. Army Sergeant Shane Parsons, whose home dedication in Plain City, Ohio became Home #85 in August 2023.
Inspired by Service
Shane’s story of service began at just 16 years old. After watching the horrific events of September 11, 2001, he knew he wanted to join the military and defend his country. A native of Fostoria, Ohio, Shane grew up with a powerful sense of honor and determination, shaped by family values and personal loss. His father passed away from brain cancer when Shane was only six months old, leaving his mother and extended family to raise him.
Guided by the wisdom of his great-grandmother, “Work hard, no complaining, listen, and do it right,” Shane enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school. He deployed to Iraq with Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 67th Regiment, where the brotherhood of military life became his second family.
The Day That Changed Everything
On September 30, 2006, Shane was off duty but volunteered to take a fellow soldier’s place on patrol. As the lead driver, his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion tore through armor and steel, leaving Shane gravely wounded.
He lost both legs above the knee and suffered a traumatic brain injury after going into cardiac arrest three times, once for 45 minutes. Doctors feared he would not survive, and even if he did, they said he would never regain basic skills like reading, writing, or performing daily tasks.
But Shane refused to accept defeat.
A Relentless Recovery
Through countless surgeries and years of therapy, Shane gradually regained some ability to move, read, and care for himself. Still, the long-term effects of his brain injury included memory loss, depression, and post-traumatic stress. At times, the weight of these challenges shook him deeply.
“When I hear I’ll never walk again or someone says I’m incompetent, it rocks me to my core,” Shane shared.
Despite this, Shane found new ways to thrive. He joined veteran sled hockey and basketball teams, rebuilding confidence and camaraderie. Along the way, he met his wife, Jen. They married in 2016 and later welcomed two sons.
A Home That Restores Independence
By 2023, Shane’s daily environment no longer supported his needs. Narrow doorways, steep ramps, and inaccessible rooms made life exhausting. He longed to contribute more at home – doing laundry, helping with chores, and most importantly, safely caring for his children.
On August 17, 2023, the Gary Sinise Foundation dedicated his mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home in Plain City, Ohio. The home, designed with wide doorways, wheelchair-accessible spaces, adaptive bathrooms, and smart technology restores his independence and empowers him both as a husband and a father.
With tears in his eyes, Shane rolled through the front doors of his new home with his wife and their boys as a crowd of family, friends, and supporters applauded. For Shane, the moment marked a turning point – a new chapter of healing, dignity, and hope.
A Backyard Built for Family
When our team first met with Shane Parsons and his family in 2022, we met at a local park. His young son bounded across the playground, climbing the monkey bars and flying down the slide with laughter. But Shane could only watch from the sidelines – his wheelchair stuck at the edge of the play area, unable to cross the wood chips that surrounded the equipment.
The look on Shane’s face that day said everything. He longed to join his children and to share in those everyday moments of play and connection. The memory stayed with our team and sparked an idea: when Shane received his mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home, it wouldn’t just be about accessibility inside the house – it would extend to the backyard as well.
Thanks to the generosity of The Home Depot Foundation and the hard work of local Team Depot volunteers, that vision became a reality. During construction, the team donated and built a fully accessible playground complete with artificial turf so that Shane’s wheelchair could glide across with ease. For the first time, Shane could chase his kids to the slide and share in the laughter that once felt out of reach. The accessible playground was more than just a structure for Shane and his family, it was a symbol of freedom, joy, and time spent together.
Finding New Purpose
For Shane, recovery hasn’t just been about regaining independence, it’s about finding new outlets for the competitive drive and camaraderie he once experienced in the Army. He discovered both on the ice, joining a modified sled hockey team connected to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The sport gave him a new community of fellow veterans and athletes who understood the unique challenges of living with injury, while also reigniting his love for teamwork and competition.
Above all, Shane cherishes his role as a father and husband.
“I just want to contribute more to our daily life, like being able to safely bathe my son and be a more involved father,” he said.
Honoring an Unbreakable Spirit
From the moment he volunteered to take another soldier’s place in 2006, to the countless battles he has fought since, Shane Parsons has embodied courage, resilience, and perseverance. His story is one of sacrifice, but also of triumph.
As we look forward to our 100th mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home, we honor Shane and his family and the strength that continues to inspire all of us at the Gary Sinise Foundation.
