Retired Air Force Tech Sergeant Adam Popp and his family were handed the keys to their new home in Lafayette, specially made to fit Popp’s accessibility needs.

On Saturday, nonprofit Homes For Our Troops donated a new home to Popp and his family, customized with over 40 special adaptations to help with Popp’s mobility.

Popp was working on removing improvised explosive devices during his second deployment to Afghanistan in 2007 when one of the devices detonated, resulting in the loss of his right leg, damage to his right arm, a traumatic brain injury and hearing loss.

To Popp, accessible means the ability to move freely in his home without any unforeseen challenges. He said stairs are one of the biggest obstacles to overcome on his prosthetic leg, especially as he helps out his two-year-old son.

“I would rate my ability to get up and down the stairs, probably on par with my two-year-old,” Popp said.

While he joked, he did acknowledge that navigating the steps is dangerous for him.

“When I say unforeseen challenges, the steps are the easy ones to point out. But anything with a small little step or curb, so you can imagine getting in or out of bathtubs, getting in or out of the shower. It might seem very easy or normal to most people,” Popp said.

He said those small bumps are huge hindrances to his mobility.

Popp’s new home has widened doorways for wheelchair access, no stairs, no curb to step into the shower, lowered countertops, pull down shelving and other accessible features.

“This is going to open up a whole new world to me, to be able to interact with my kids and be in a safe environment to interact with my kids,” Popp said.As he ages in his home, it will not have the barriers his previous house had.

While Popp was first recovering from his injury in 2007, he met another veteran who was given a home by Homes For Our Troops. He was originally hesitant to start the process of being screened to become one of the veterans selected to receive a donated home, but he slowly started realizing that his injury is for life and he had to make the right choices for himself and his family.

“This injury and disability is for life and it’s not going to get easier, it’s only going to get harder,” Popp said.

While the journey to finally getting the keys to his new home has been a long one, the moment has come at the right time for his family. Popp’s wife, Amanda Popp, is expected to give birth to their second child just a week after receiving their keys.

Bill Ivey, executive director of Homes For Our Troops, said the nonprofit is focused on building homes for veterans where they want to live and ensuring their quality of life there.

“We say ‘here are the keys and welcome for the family, we’re gonna be there for you,’” Ivey said.

The organization stays in contact with the veterans even after the home is donated.

According to surveys the nonprofit conducts with the veterans, 93% of veterans have a reduction in household stress once being in their accessible home and 92% regain some or much of their freedom and independence.

“The home helps them restore some freedom and, truthly, their dignity. They don’t have to rely on someone to assist them, they can go into their kid’s room, they can make dinner,” Ivey said.

Ivey said the veterans often lose their own freedom and independence due to injuries sustained when they were fighting for Americans’ freedom and independence. He said they deserve to be in a home where they can live comfortably with their families.

Homes For Our Troops has built over 400 homes for injured veterans, with over 20 of those homes in Colorado.

More information about Homes For Our Troops is available at hfotusa.org.