SGT MATTHEW SPANG

Monument, CO

Mission Accomplished on June 20, 2015

On July 12, 2011, during his second deployment, Army Sergeant Matthew Spang was on a route clearance mission with the 130th Engineers in Afghanistan when his vehicle drove over two improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The blast resulted in the loss of his legs below the knee and severe damage to his right hand.

SGT Spang was brought to Landstuhl, Germany for immediate treatment before returning stateside to Fort Sam Houston for additional therapy.

Now medically retired, Matt and his wife, Janelle, are parents to Tayden and Tristan. Matt plays sled hockey, wheelchair basketball, and enjoys playing golf. He is a stay-at-home dad while Janelle works in banking solutions for USAA.

In his previous wheelchair inaccessible apartment, Matt faced challenges in his ongoing recovery. A recipient of a specially adapted custom HFOT home in 2015, Matt can now access the entire home in his wheelchair. The roll-in shower and roll-under sink allow him to complete his daily routine without worrying about slipping on a wet floor. Additionally, the lowered kitchen countertops, pull-down shelving, and roll-under access to the sink and oven enable him to prepare meals for his family.

Matt would like to thank HFOT donors and supporters for their generosity. “People like you are the reason why the United States is the best country to live in,” he says.