From Tragedy to Triumph: Wounded Vet Honored with Custom Home

A new report from the Department of Veterans Affairs said hospitals in Texas manipulated patient appointment-scheduling data last year. Staffers at the Houston-area VA clinics improperly cancelled more than 200 patient appointments and rescheduled them to conceal patient wait times, in some cases, delaying them more than three months, the report revealed.

One organization has been at the forefront of ensuring that Veterans receive the proper care and support they rightfully deserve. Building Homes for Heroes is committed to rebuilding lives of the heroic men and women who have been injured while serving their country.

The non-profit organization provides mortgage-free custom homes that meet the needs of American service members who selflessly served the nation.

In an exclusive interview with FOX Business Network’s Countdown to the Closing Bell, retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kirstie Ennis said she finds the VA Inspector General’s report “disappointing and disheartening.”

“Our military and our veterans are this nation’s heart and soul and they deserve absolutely everything. If we are going to continue our lives and continue to prosper, the least we can be provided is adequate health care,” Ennis told host Liz Claman.

While serving in Afhanistan in June 2012, Sgt. Ennis was in the gunner seat when her helicopter crashed. After two leg amputations and 41 surgeries, she lives to tell her tale of survival. Despite having an above-the-knee amputation surgery six months ago, Ennis said she has been at the mercy of the system and has struggled to move forward.

“To be able to get the prosthetics that I need to be able to actually have the revisions that I need to continue moving forward,  it’s been a bit of a struggle. It’s been a wait.” Ennis said.

The retired Marine understands she is not the only patient dealing with long wait times and red tape, and stresses there are varying degrees of need at the VA.

“Our veterans are the people who put the uniform on every day, the people that keep United States safe. We owe them that,” she said.

Ennis will be the beneficiary of a custom home courtesy of Building Homes for Heroes.

“Just like any other veteran, we don’t want anyone’s pity, but we want the support and we want the opportunity to moving forward,” Ennis said.

Ennis also said she is amazed by the amount of generosity and support she has received throughout her recovery.

“It kind of breaks my heart to know that the non-profit organization and non-profit world is having to fill in the void where the VA or the Department of Defense or what have you is experiencing right now, “Ennis said.

Building Homes for Heroes will host its sixth annual honoree dinner at the Battery Gardens Restaurant in New York City on June 22. The event is hosted by FOX Business Network’s Liz Claman and will honor Fox News’ Sean Hannity, a longtime supporter of Building Homes for Heroes.

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