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Sgt Dan at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago with Dr. Chen. Dan working hard on his therapy
For his stellar service and courage, Dan is our latest recipient of the Designing for Veterans pro bono interior design service. We have provided professional interior designs and architectural plans to construct a new addition to his family's home. A unique studio style room offers Sgt Dan independence and an environment to help him recover.
The designs include a Lutron Whole Home system to facilitate Dan's needs. Donated by Lutron Electronics, Daniel will be able to open and close his doors, drapes, TV and lighting as a coordinated system via an iPad donated by Verizon. The interior design provides a therapy approach to developing his motor skills in his arms, hands and fingers. Lutron is one of many contributors that are making our mission possible to help Sgt Dan recover from this quadriplegic state. Others include Home Depot, Sleep Number, Kohler, Benjamin Moore, HBF, Ragsdale, Inc, Tepper Electric, Irsay Plumbing, MBL Recycling, Creative Window Design, Adorn Design, Truffles and GM Builders to name only a few. See our donate page to learn how you can help too.
Daniel served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years; four were active duty with two years in Iraq. He was first deployed to Iraq aboard the USS Duluth in 2004. Prior to his time served in Iraq Dan’s battle group was diverted to Sri Lanka in December 2004 in response to the tsunami to provide humanitarian aid to the survivors. In January 2006, Dan was deployed to Al Karmah, Iraq for seven months. It was during that deployment
that eleven Marines from his battalion were killed; including five close friends from his company.
Dan was honorably discharged from active duty in October 2007 and from Individual Ready Reserve in October 2011. He achieved the rank of E5 Sergeant in four years and has been awarded over ten medals and ribbons for his service. Dan returned home following his service without the
visible wounds of war but with the unseen disability of PTSD that many combat veterans face. It was in June 2012 when Dan suffered a traumatic
C5 cervical spine injury in a freak accident that has left him in a quadriplegic condition. He is waging the biggest battle of his young life as he fights
to recover and walk again at the Willow Springs Next Steps program.
He attended Northern Illinois University with a major in journalism and worked on campus in the VA office. He has dreams of becoming a fire fighter
after college.
Join the Mission Recovery Team - Your Help is Needed Now
Mission Recovery is now at the construction stage of the project. We are in need of various supplies, materials, finishes, and furnishings to
complete the build out and furnish the den. The new designs will provide Dan with a universal
design bedroom and bath that will not only assist his daily living but create a quality environment in which Dan can experience the freedom and independence he so richly deserves.
Above are the design renderings for Dan's Project. The remodeling consists of the renovation of his parents existing den into a bedroom and the addition of a handicap bathroom and exterior ramp with landscaping. Join the Mission Recovery Team and help us help Marine Sgt Daniel Tsutsumi. We need professional and licensed trades during the week, as well as financial donations. Click here to donate.
Mission Recovery - Construction Has Started!
Foundation for extention of existing den is excavated and footings poured. In the second photo the old den is demolished and
the third shows the new framing with Tyvek installed. The final shot is a look at the interior. The large opening for the windows
and doors provide the natural amibiance that Sgt Dan loved so much about his favorite place in his parent's home.
Stay tuned and watch the progress of Sgt Dan's renovation project. Photo album coming soon !!
Mission Recovery is being made possible through your generous donations.
DONATE NOW!
Mission Accomplished - A Veteran Project Completed
This Mission Possible home renovation project for Army Sgt Cameron Crouch of Mahomet, Illinois was recently completed.
Take a look at the completion photos and what Cameron had to say.
The completed renovations for Sgt Crouch's master bedroom and bath at the end of March 2012.
turn a full three-hundred and sixty degrees next to my bed." Army Sgt Cameron Crouch
This was the mission of the interior design students of the ASID Student Chapter at the Illinois Institute of Art- Chicago. For a year the Mission Possible Team, code name for Sgt Crouch’s project, have been applying the full design process for their“client” from programming through schematic design, design development, construction documentation, procurement and installation in addition to their regular class work and part time jobs. See the
designs and plans on our veterans page.
At the end of March they completed the installation of Cameron’s master bedroom and bath. These new designs provide Cameron with greater freedom and mobility along with plenty of storage for his medical supplies. Nearly a hundred industry partners from all levels joined the Mission Possible Team supplying the furnishings and materials to execute the planning. Hafele of Americas supplied the inside drawer boxes, LED Lighting and architectural hardware, Kravet donated fabric, Benjamin Moore the paints, Ragsdale Inc. the painting and demolition, Shaw Flooring/Luna the area rug, Delta the faucets, Corian the counter-top material, Keith Clayton Furniture Inc the custom fabrication of the cabinetry and furniture and Sleep Number/Select Comfort the mattress to name but a only a hand full. Haworth and Bernhardt Design supported the mission with a silent auction to help raise funds. Kevin Sheridan of Sheridan Contract rallied dealers across the Midwest to join the team with generous financial donations.
The work however, does not end here. In the course of doing this project several of the students formed a nonprofit organization and applied
for 501(c)3 status to enable their donors to make their donations tax deductible. The end result was the formation of a new nonprofit interior design organization called Designing for Veterans. This will enable, upon graduation of these students, for the mission to continue and
provide many more severely disabled veterans for the Afghanistan and Iraq wars with the quality environments they so richly deserve.
Awards - ASID Student Chapter Community Service Project of the Year
In June 2012 the Mission Possible Project/Designing for Veterans and the ASID Student Chapter of the Illinois Institute of Art Chicago
received two awards for their community service work from the national trade association, the American Society of Interior Designers. The announcement of the awards was posted on the national ASID website which you can see right here: ASID Student Chapter Community Service and Fundraising Projects of the Year and the Outstanding ASID Student Chapter of the Year.
“This project not only raised awareness for the client's cause but showed the value
of interior design to the community. I was personally blown away by the scope and
professionalism of the whole project.” – Eileen Vitelli, ASID, NEWH
Media - Mission Possible and CBS 2 - "Your Chicago with Rob and Kate"
