Wounded Soldier Soon Moving Home

All Sergeant Jason Smith ever wanted to do was be a soldier. "I was not prepared to retire. I was going to do full term. 20 years. If not longer," said Smith. But after losing both legs to an IED in Afghanistan in 2012, his plans changed. But amazingly, he said, for the better. "Had I not been injured I'd still be in Fort Lewis, Washington, or somewhere else still doing my job," he said. "But I had the chance to come home and I met her, and now we're expecting our first child. It's just a blessing." And by 2015, into their new home, which will be built in 9 days, with the help of close to 200 volunteers. Steps2Hope, a non-profit that helps young adults who are faced with life changing loss of mobility from traumatic events, is spearheading the project. "We're gonna build a home that's built specifically for his personal needs," said Steps2Hope founder Mark Wilson. "We used about 200 companies building Andrew's home. It's a huge community effort. Need skilled contractors, general volunteers. restaurants to donate food." Another plus, their new home will be right down the road from Andrew Smith, also a double amputee, and his wife, Tori. "It's pretty rare to have two double amputees from the same region in Afghanistan, both army," said Tori. "And they're gonna be so close together, it's a life long bond we're looking forward to." Steps2Hope built Andrew and Tori's home last year. by Betsy Goldin