Natural Stone Institute: Two More R.I.S.E. Homes
OBERLIN, Ohio — The Natural Stone Institute provided natural stone and fabrication services for two homes with the Gary Sinise Foundation through its R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program.
Institute members worked on homes for U.S. Army Sgt. Shane Parsons in Plain City, Ohio, and U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Ian Prescott in Clearview, Fla.
The Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program builds 100% mortgage-free specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders.
Natural stone and fabrication services for the Parsons home were provided by Mont Surfaces and Cutting Edge Countertops.
Parsons enlisted in the Army after graduating high school and deployed to Iraq as part of the Bravo 3rd Company 67th Regiment. On Sept. 30, 2006, Parsons was off duty but volunteered to go out in place of one of his friends. As the lead driver, he drove over a makeshift bomb designed to cut through metal and protective gear.
The explosion caused him to lose both legs above the knee. As he was airlifted out, he went into cardiac arrest three separate times, resulting in a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to read, write, or manage basic daily living skills such as bathing, eating, and dressing.
Through countless surgeries and hours of therapies, Parsons began to regain some of his ability to move, read, speak, and care for himself. Still, his brain injury has permanent longer-term impact, including memory loss and moments of severe depression and post-traumatic stress. Coming together with fellow wounded veterans, Parsons has developed new interests, like playing basketball and joining a veteran sled hockey team. He even met his wife, Jen, and they married in 2016 and soon welcomed a son.
Parsons looks forward to the accessibility a Gary Sinise Foundation specially adapted, smart-technology home will bring him, so he can participate more fully in family life. He also hopes to find a part-time job that will occupy some of his time and help coach high school football.
Natural stone and fabrication services for the Prescott home were provided by Triton Stone Group and Artistic Stone Works.
Born in 1982, Prescott enlisted in the Army to support his growing family after getting his degree in history from Oklahoma State University. In 2006, he began basic training at Fort Benning and later was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, deploying ten times to Afghanistan, Iraq, Columbia, and Puerto Rico. His accolades include four Bronze Stars and one Purple Heart.
On Dec. 4, 2018, while on patrol with his team and Afghan counterparts, Prescott was shot by enemy forces. Suffering from heavy internal bleeding, he was quickly evacuated to a nearby operating base. Due to his severe injuries, doctors surgically removed Ian’s left kidney, spleen, and portions of his pancreas; he also suffered a damaged left lung, pancreas, diaphragm, and intestines.
In addition, spinal-cord damage paralyzed Prescott from the waist down. Following his initial surgeries, he spent the remainder of his recovery at Brook Army Medical Center in Texas and then at the Shepherd Center rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta. With the support of his family, doctors, physical therapists, and various organizations, Prescott recovered and returned to his home within months.
Prescott hopes to one day help injured veterans and share his point of view with them as they go through their processes. As for now, he’s getting back to doing outdoor activities and intends to work toward his scuba license in the future.
Natural Stone Institute members have now contributed to 51 completed homes through this initiative. Companies interested in getting involved with future projects are encouraged to email rise@naturalstoneinstitute.org.
To learn more, and to see a list of all Natural Stone Institute members who have donated their time, products, and services to this cause, visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/RISE.
