Bed Donation Helps Burned San Antonio Soldier Sleep Soundly
Released on: January 14, 2008, 12:35 pm
Press Release Author: Kristin Bostic
Industry: Non Profit
Press Release Summary: Craftmatic Adjustable Beds and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes to donate 55 beds in 2008
Press Release Body: SAN ANTONIO, TX -January 14, 2008- SSG Scott Adams, U.S. Army, was wounded and severely burned in Bayji, Iraq in January of 2007 where he was deployed with the 303rd Military Police Company. His vehicle hit two anti-tank mines that contained white phosphorous, sending the vehicle six feet into the air. Adams was burned over 47% of his body, with 34% of that being third degree thickness burns. He also sustained eight compound fractures in his back, five bulging discs, a labrum tear in his right shoulder, nerve damage across his shoulder line and a blood clot in his right leg. Not to mention he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
When he returned home to the states, he was reassigned to the Medical Readiness Training Command at Fort Sam Houston. His wife Carolyn had to suddenly pack up their home in Jackson, Michigan and ship everything to their new home in Houston.
When the large boxes arrived to their new house, the hardware to their beds were missing, and many items were damaged or broken.
"We thought that what was missing out of the first shipment would arrive in the second, but it didn't," said Adams. "Most of our furniture was damaged to the point that we could not use it anymore."
Scott and Carolyn have three sons so they made sure that the beds they did have were used by their boys; which left the couple to sleep on a mattress on the floor of their bedroom for four months.
"With my injuries, I can't get comfortable with a regular mattress," Adams said. "When we tried to price out a new therapeutic bed the cost was going to be around $4,000. Something we couldn't afford. We even had my doctor write me out a prescription for a new bed, but we never received it."
Adams says that often he won't sleep for days at a time, and then crash and sleep for a day straight.
On December 4, 2007 at the Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute in Orlando, FL Scott and Carolyn found out that they were going to receive a new Craftmatic Adjustable Bed, free-of-charge, simply because he had been injured in Iraq.
"We spent our life savings on new furniture for our home, to replace the furniture that was lost in the move," Adams continued. "But we never expected to receive such a generous gift from Craftmatic and the Coalition, and I know that now I will be able to sleep through the night."
The Craftmatic Adjustable Bed Company, the nation's premier maker of quality comfort adjustable beds, and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH), the leading nongovernmental provider of emergency financial aid to severely wounded veterans from the War on Terror, have teamed up to give away one bed a week in 2008 to severely wounded veterans.
CSAH identifies deserving troops and Craftmatic sends them a bed - no strings attached - as a way of showing appreciation for their sacrifice through the Craftmatic Cares program.
"Our company is pleased to do our part to honor the brave service that our troops have provided for our country," said Eric Kraftsow, a representative for Craftmatic. "We are proud to be able to work with the Coalition to determine which troops need the beds, and donate where we can make the most difference in a hero's life."
Scott and Carolyn Adams should be receiving their new Craftmatic bed on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 10 AM EST.
To see high resolution pictures of Scott and Carolyn Adams at the Road to Recovery Conference, where they were announced as winners, please visit http://flickr.com/photos/saluteheroes/sets/72157603627103729/.
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About Craftmatic Adjustable Beds: The Craftmatic Adjustable Bed Company (Craftmatic Organization, Inc.) first began marketing electrically adjustable beds specifically designed for use in the world\'s bedrooms over 30 years ago. Today, Craftmatic company owned direct sales operations and independent distributors service all of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Caribbean and Australia. Over 1,000,000 Craftmatic Adjustable Beds are now in use in customer bedrooms around the world and attest to the fact that our unique beds are as durable as they are attractive and comfortable.
For more information, please visit www.CraftmaticCares.com. About the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes: The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is a 501 (c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the severely wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families rebuild their lives. The organization is the top nongovernmental association helping wounded troops from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and since its 2004 inception, has assisted over 5,000 troops. Over $5 million dollars has been distributed to date to prevent car repossessions and utility shut-offs while trips to sporting events, entertainment parks, and shows help service members boost morale, break the boredom of the routine of recuperation and help reintegrate wounded troops into civilian life. The annual all-expense-paid Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute provides seminars, career counseling, job fairs, evaluations, and inspirational success stories. CSAH has partnered with numerous celebrities including LeAnn Rimes, Dave Matthews Band, Gary Sinise, Toby Keith, Charlie Daniels, Regis Philbin and Big & Rich and Fortune 500 corporations like Kellogg's, GNC and GM, to help further our cause. For more information or to learn how you can help, please visit the website at www.saluteheroes.org.