CPL Kevin McCloskey

Southampton, PA

Mission Accomplished on Jan. 12, 2019

 
On June 8, 2008, Army Corporal Kevin McCloskey was driving in a convoy with the 506th Infantry Regiment (4th Brigade), 101st Airborne Division, in Logar Province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED). CPL McCloskey doesn’t remember much of the incident, but has been told he saw a pressure board and swerved to avoid it, taking the majority of the blast to himself. The explosion resulted in the loss of both his legs, vision loss in his right eye, burns all over his body and a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Once he returned to the States, CPL McCloskey underwent 30 surgeries during his stay at Brooke Army Medical Center. He credits his physical therapists and fellow Veterans at the hospital’s Center for the Intrepid in aiding his speedy recovery.

Even though Kevin has made significant progress since being injured, he still faced challenges within his home. He says the wider doorways and open floorplan in his specially adapted custom Homes For Our Troops home makes tasks, such as getting dressed, easier. In his previous home, Kevin would constantly burn himself when cooking, since the appliances are all out of reach from his wheelchair. Now that Kevin has an accessible kitchen in his home with roll under sink and lower countertops, he is able to make meals easily for himself and his wife Bridget from the comfort of his wheelchair. The new home is also beneficial for Bridget, as she would often fall while trying to maneuver Kevin’s shower assistance chair in their previous home.

Kevin was an extremely competitive athlete in high school and fought mixed martial arts for the 101st Airborne. After his injury, he didn’t think he would be able to play sports or compete again, but soon found a love for golf. He now tries to spend time on the green at least a few times a week when weather permits. He says the sport has helped him physically and emotionally and helps relieve stress. Without the burden of a mortgage, Kevin says he will now be able to dedicate more time to helping other Veterans and amputees learn and relearn golf through the Eastern Amputee Golf Association’s First Swing clinics. He also recently took a position with the PGA Helping Our Patriots Everywhere (HOPE) Program, an organization that introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

Since moving into their home, Kevin and Bridget have started a family. They welcomed their first child, Fionn, in June 2021.

Kevin says he can’t put into words what it means to have received a home adapted to his injuries. “This home makes everyday living that much easier to cope with. I can’t tell you how many times I would get stressed out while just trying to iron a pair of pants. These houses really take away the stress of everyday activities,” he says. “It’s huge, not only for the Veterans but also for their loved ones knowing they have a safe place to live.”

related articles:

  • The Mercury, Jan. 21, 2020 Army CPL Kevin McCloskey was 20 when he swerved his Humvee to avoid the camouflaged explosive that blew off both of his legs and right hand, blinded him in the right eye and severely damaged his pelvis during a patrol in Afghanistan 11 years ago. Read more.
  • Bucks County Courier Times, Jan. 12, 2019 U.S. Army Cpl Kevin McCloskey and his wife Bridget are thrilled to join the Upper Southampton community as they move into their new home donated by Homes For Our Troops. McCloskey lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan in 2008. Read more.
  • FOX 29, Jan. 12, 2019 An Army Corporal and his wife can officially call a new space “home.” On Saturday morning, the national nonprofit, Homes For Our Troops, donated a home to Corporal Kevin McCloskey and his wife Bridget. Read more.
  • Fox 29, Oct. 12, 2018 Lansdale Catholic is raising money to help build a home for CPL Kevin McCloskey. Read more.