Cpl Carlos Lopes

Freetown, MA

Inspired to serve his country after the 9/11 attacks, Carlos Lopes enlisted in the Marines in 2004.

On November 18, 2005, Corporal Lopes was serving as a Combat Engineer with Charlie Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division in Iraq, when a fellow Marine fell from a roof and landed on him. Corporal Lopes sustained severe spinal cord injuries resulting in the loss of use of his legs, injuries to his jaw, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

He was medically evacuated to Balad for immediate treatment before transferring to Landstuhl, Germany. Stateside, he underwent additional surgeries and extensive rehabilitation therapy at Walter Reed Medical Center.

Carlos and his wife, Melissa, are the proud parents of four sons: Wyatt, Gavin, Kaden, and Maxwell. Carlos enjoys adaptive skiing and hunting. He is involved in coaching various youth sports in his community and was reelected to a second term on the local Board of Health and Board of Selectmen.

More than twenty years have passed since Carlos’ original injury, and the progression of rheumatoid arthritis has contributed to significant joint damage and declining mobility. As a result, routine daily activities, including walking from room to room—particularly between different floors—have become increasingly difficult.

A specially adapted custom HFOT home with a single-level, open layout would greatly improve Carlos’ mobility, comfort, and independence within the home environment and also enable him to be more actively involved as a father. “Having a big family and physical disabilities is extremely stressful. I want to provide for my wife and children and give them the best that any father or parent would. An HFOT home would allow me to worry less about finances and the rising costs of raising a family and allow me to be more involved and present to my growing family of four boys,” he says.

Originally from Massachusetts, Carlos is choosing to remain in his home state.

Carlos and his family are profoundly thankful to HFOT donors and supporters for their life-changing generosity. “It’s refreshing to know organizations and people like you exist and truly do make a difference. Thank you from my family to yours,” he says.

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