SFC Brian Lowen

Fairplay, CO

 
Feeling that traditional schooling would not lead him to a career he would love, Brian Lowen earned his GED and enlisted in the National Guard.

On June 15, 2005, during his first deployment in Balad, Iraq, then Staff Sergeant  Lowen was injured during a mortar attack. Despite injuries to his wrist, leg, ribs, and sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI), Brian continued to actively serve, retiring as a Sergeant First Class.

In between surgeries on his wrist and leg, Brian deployed an additional six times to Iraq and Afghanistan. Brian considers it a battle won that he left each deployment on his own two feet. After 20 years of service, Brian decided to have his right leg above the knee amputated.

Now medically retired, Brain enjoys skiing, mountain biking, snowboarding, and golfing. He volunteers at an outdoor education center that provides adaptive sports programs. His active lifestyle requires living arrangements that allow him to rest and recover, yet his current home is not suited to his needs. The non-adapted entrances have stairs, with homemade ramps providing the only wheelchair-accessible option into the house. Due to the pain of wearing a prosthetic for most of the day, when Brian chooses to rest in his wheelchair, he is unable to navigate from room to room.

A specially adapted custom home will be life-changing for Brian and his family, enabling him to regain his independence and spend time doing the activities he enjoys. The barrier-free, open floor plan allows full access to the home, with the single-level layout and automatic door openers providing him with wheelchair-accessible entry. The mortgage-free home will give Brian more time to pay it forward by helping other Veterans and introducing them to organizations that have helped him through his journey.

Originally from California, Brian is choosing to build his HFOT home in Colorado to be close to family.

Brian is thankful to HFOT donors and supporters for stepping up and supporting our nation’s Veterans. “For your generosity, kindness, and willingness to go the extra mile I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

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