After completing the initial construction of Sgt. Stephen Tovet’s home with Home at Last, a non-profit whose mission is to build mortgage-free, disability-friendly homes for combat-wounded veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, late last year, Window Interiors and our partners have continued to make this vet’s home more accessible.
Partnering with Universal Window Coverings and Somfy, a manufacturer of specialized motors and control systems for interior shades, blinds and more, Window Interiors installed the Somfy myLink, which gives Sgt. Tovet the ability to control his blinds and shades from an app on his phone.
Sgt. Tovet, a man who does not let his injuries get in the way, insisted on helping us with the installation. He carried the blinds and worked to modify them to receive the 12 volt tilt motors.
Sgt. Tovet more than deserved this new home and the comforts it provides. In 2011, Sgt. Tovet was wounded by an IED blast while on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The explosion severely injured his left leg, left hand and right lower leg. The injuries required amputation of his left leg above the knee, part of his left hand, and the surgical reconstruction of his left hand, lower right leg, ankle and foot. In late 2014, Sgt. Tovet and his wife Krystina were living in an old, modular house in disrepair that was difficult for Stephen to navigate with his wheelchair.
Working with Sgt. Tovet reminded us that freedom is not free. Even through his injuries, Stephen’s spirit shines through. We were happy to work with him and his family and hope to work on the next Home at Last home later this year. We appreciate every opportunity to provide veterans like Sgt. Tovet with the comforts many take for granted.
Thank you to our partners, Universal Window Coverings – who fabricated the blinds- and Somfy. Thanks to Eric Stapp and his daughters for their hard work on the project. Together, we were proud to give back to this outstanding veteran. We would also like to give a special thank you to Sgt. Tovet and his wife Krystina for all of their help when we were supposed to be helping them. Thank you for teaching us so much.
Somfy prepares to instal the myLink system to automate Sgt. Tovet’s blinds.
Sgt. Tovet assists in modifying the blinds to receive the 12 volt tilt motors.
Sgt. Tovet shows Eric’s daughter, 8, how he works on his fine motor skills by making wallets.
The Tovets are “Home at Last!”
