SSG Rodrigo “Rudy” Santos

White Plains, NY

Rudy Santos always wanted to serve his country. After high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003, and in 2009, he joined the Army.

On October 10, 2010, during his third combat deployment, Staff Sergeant Santos was serving as a Cavalry Scout with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). He suffered severe injuries to his pelvis and spine, left arm, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and a below-the-knee amputation of his left leg.

He was evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany, and remained in a coma before transferring stateside to Walter Reed Medical Center, where he received treatment for more than three years for leg, pelvis, and back injuries.

Rudy and his wife, Giselle, enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors. In their apartment, both the kitchen and bathroom are small, cramped spaces that pose daily challenges for Rudy. Navigating these tight quarters often turns routine tasks into frustrating obstacles—whether he’s trying to cook a simple meal without enough counter space or maneuvering around the narrow bathroom to get ready in the morning.

A specially adapted custom HFOT home would make a significant difference in Rudy’s daily life. With an accessible kitchen designed for ease of movement, he could prepare meals without working around limitations. Roll-under countertops and pull-down shelving would allow him to cook and clean with greater independence and less physical strain.

Originally from New York, Rudy is choosing to remain in his home state.

Rudy would like to thank HFOT donors and supporters for their support and generosity. “As a first-generation American and combat Veteran, I have a deep appreciation and love of America and the opportunity it gave me and my family. To see and experience American citizens helping Veterans is an act of generosity that no words can express.”

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