In the shadow of the Beartooth Mountains, a home is being remodeled with a special purpose: To make it more accessible and comfortable for a 22-year Army veteran.

Decades after serving in the Vietnam theater, Steven Bryant continues to experience effects from the war. Agent Orange exposure led to heart disease, requiring the Clark veteran to undergo open-heart surgery in March 2017.

“It was supposed to be a triple bypass, but it ended up being a double bypass because the ascending aorta was much too plugged to do anything,” said Jo Bryant, his wife.

Despite his doctor’s best efforts, however, eight pieces of plaque broke free from his heart — four each side, front and back, causing eight strokes. Doctors didn’t know if Steven would wake up, and if he did, what the level of damage would be.

“All the quadrants of the brain were affected,” Jo said. “The only thing not affected was his ability to speak.”

Jo listened as the neurologist shared the difficult news.

“So I’m sitting there, just of course stunned, and this thought goes through my mind: This is a miracle waiting to happen,” she recalled. “And to me, that was God’s gold lifeline and I grabbed hold of it and never gave up on it.”

After 30 days in Billings Clinic, the Bryants went to Great Falls, Montana, to be closer to family as Steven continued recovering.

But soon he endured another crisis: An intestinal bleed, caused by the blood thinner Coumadin.

“Had Steven not asked to go to the ER, he would be dead,” Jo said.

Doctors said to call family members to come see Steven, because they didn’t expect him to make it another 12 hours.

“Steven had a blood clot thrown to the bypass, to the LAD artery called ‘the widowmaker,’” Jo said. “Ninety percent of people who have a clot thrown to that artery die.”

It took five days for doctors to diagnose the clot, which was blocking blood to his organs.

“He was dying … his organs were failing,” Jo said.

Another clot was thrown to the stent in his left femoral artery, blocking all blood flow.

Steven spent 14 days in the intensive care unit, and miraculously pulled through.

But he had suffered wounds on his left leg, and with no blood flow, his leg couldn’t heal. On Aug. 7, 2017, the leg had to be amputated high above his knee.

While the couple struggled with that outcome, Jo said they continued to trust God.

“We always give God all the glory,” Jo said. “Steven wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for the Lord.”

Jo remained by her husband’s side through it all.

“She was my advocate,” Steven said, adding that Jo “was always there.”

Steven said he fell in love with his wife even more during those difficult days.

The initial heart surgery occurred just three days before their first wedding anniversary, but the experience brought them closer together.

“Our deep love for each other has been forged in the fires of pain and suffering,” Jo said. “We are totally different people — better people and our marriage is extremely strong.  God has been good and helped us through.”

The couple appreciates the “incredible ongoing prayer” and support they received from across the nation.

“The people kept praying,” Jo said.

Steven had four hospitalizations and was in three care centers before finally getting to go to the Sheridan VA Medical Center in October 2017, where real rehab began.

That December, he finally returned to Clark.

“Steven had been gone from our home for nine months,” Jo said.

Operation Finally Home

As they settled in, the Bryants found the house wasn’t quite set up for Steven’s wheelchair.

“We certainly didn’t have the money to do any remodeling,” Jo said. “What we had was workable. You do what you do.”

Earlier this year, the couple received exciting news: Their home would be remodeled by Operation FINALLY HOME, a non-profit organization based in Texas.

“Operation FINALLY HOME provides homes and home modifications to wounded, ill or injured veterans who have worn the uniform in service to their country,” explained Molly Halliday, who works for the organization.

The non-profit’s first step is “to identify builders/contractors that have the network to construct or modify a home based upon donation of time and materials,” Halliday said.

In this case, they were able to partner with Scott Brown Construction of Powell.

“Thanks to Scott Brown Construction along with Operation FINALLY HOME and our donors, the Bryants will receive these modifications at no cost to them,” Halliday said. “While they may not have an invoice, we feel the Bryants have paid with their service to our country; it’s the least we can do to help and honor our veterans who allow us our everyday freedoms.”

Scotty Brown said this project has been particularly rewarding, as he has “a great deal of respect for those who have served our country.”

“Regardless of whether or not a person ever sees combat, serving in the military, or as a first responder for that matter, is a great sacrifice for not only the person serving, but for their families as well,” Brown said. “I think it’s an honor to be able to give back to them, in even a small way.”

Steven served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant first class. Over 22 years, he served in four different countries, with the last five years of service in the American Embassy under the Defense Intelligence Agency in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“He served his country with honor,” Jo said.

For Operation FINALLY HOME projects, selection priority is given to applicants with disabilities that are VA verified, showing a need for modification, improvement and structural alterations, Halliday said.

“We look at it as God’s blessing,” Jo said of the remodel. “It’s that simple. There’s just no question about it.”

Vince Vanata of Cody, a friend of the Bryants, had put in the Bryants’ name with Operation FINALLY HOME.

Safety, comfort and peace of mind

The remodel includes a variety of improvements, such as new flooring that is easier for Steven’s wheelchair to move on, wider door frames and an expanded bathroom that’s handicap accessible.

But handicap accessibility is about more than just how a person moves around the home or uses the bathroom, Brown said.

“It’s also about removing fear and providing peace of mind, for the person with the disability, as well as their loved ones, who sometimes wonder if they can get by on their own,” he said. “It’s about removing obstacles and providing someone with the tools to be self-sufficient. I really hope the work we’re doing provides all those things and more.”

A new electrical breaker box will be within Steven’s reach, and appliances will be easier for him to use. Other upgrades include new egress windows and concrete in the front of the home, so he can better access the front entrance.

“We’re also adding a new HVAC system to the main portion of the home,” Brown said.

The home is currently heated exclusively with a wood-burning stove.

“Although we’re raising the stove a little, so that Steven can still use it, the new heating unit will mean that he doesn’t have to rely on the stove,” Brown said.

The original cabin was built in 1961, and underwent two different additions. The Bryants purchased the house in 2016. Remodeling an older home always presents some difficulties, Brown said, “especially when that home is in the county.”

“Besides the fact that we regularly find work that doesn’t meet code, and is in some cases dangerous, older home designs rarely took into consideration the possibility of someone being physically challenged,” he said.

Enlarging a bathroom can sometimes mean losing a bedroom, he said; even enlarging a door to fit a wheelchair can be no small task.

“Thankfully, I believe that the recent focus on an aging population has caused home designers to reconsider how they design homes,” Brown said. “We see things like fewer stairs, wider hallways and doors and larger bathrooms, to name a few.”

The goal is to have the Bryants back in their home by the first week of November, and the project is on track to make that happen, Brown said.

He added that it has not been a solo effort.

“We have some great, local sub-contractors and suppliers who have really stepped up to help with the cost as well as getting the project finished in a timely manner,” Brown said. “No remodel is without its issues, but everyone has pulled together to overcome any challenges.”

Operation FINALLY HOME was able to complete its mission with the help of the building community and all their connections, Halliday said.

“We appreciate companies such as Scott Brown Construction for raising their hand to help our wounded veterans,” she said. “We consider it a blessing to work with veterans and honor them with a safe and accessible home.”

She said the modifications will provide improved living for the couple.

“With all our recipients, we hope that their home is a place where they find peace and healing as they look towards their future,” Halliday said.