Fundraiser to help renovate home for injured soldier
SAMPSON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Monday was a big day for Army Sergeant Cory Muzzy. He was in Physical Training in San Antonio, excelling like he normally does.
But he was doing something he hadn't done since February.
"Today he's learning how to get up from the ground without his wheelchair or crutches," his wife, Michelle said proudly, calling home to Sampson County via Facetime.
It's been eight months since the Fort Bragg soldier suffered a broken neck, shattered forearm, loss of hearing and sight, as well as an eventual double leg amputation.
It all followed a deadly artillery training accident on Post. In February, another soldier was killed. Seven were injured, including 24-year-old Muzzy. Within hours of the accident, he arrived at Duke University Medical Center where there was initially doubt that he'd survive his critical state.
"As a parent, I want to be there to help him," said Barry Wirt, Muzzy's father. "I want to take these pains away, give him back his legs, his vision, his hearing and I can't do it. It's a bit hard to take."
Muzzy fought. He proved everyone wrong, and that made everyone stronger.
"I've asked him if he's had down moments and he says no," said Cindy Muzzy, Cory's mother.
"'It is what it is and I gotta do what's gotta be done,'" he would tell her.
Slowly and surely, Muzzy began to adjust with an equally optimistic wife by his side.
"You just take the hand that's been given to you and you do what you can with it," she said Monday.
But during a brief leave last fall, it became apparent that the Muzzys' Roseboro home would need some major renovation.
It had a carport addition designed for Michelle's father. There's also the recent addition of a wider deck built by family, friends and church members. But it's still hard to get around the home in a wheelchair.
It needs a larger, open floor plan. The carpet should be removed. The shower needs to be wheelchair accessible.
And it all needs to be done before his February return from San Antonio.
A VA loan will handle $68,000 worth of work, but some Clinton businesswomen have stepped in to come up with an additional
On Saturday, Four Seasons Expo, will host a Fundraiser for Cory Muzzy at the Clinton Expo Center.
Monica Sykes and her mother, Four Seasons owner, Jacquelynn Richardson, have managed to pull 60 local vendors together to do everything from face painting to family photography and unique product sales. Raffle tickets and silent auctions will fill the grounds. Sykes's father will be on the grill to sell BBQ and BBQ chicken plates.
It's not the first time they've chosen a community organization to benefit through local business.
This time a majority of proceeds will go toward making SGT. Muzzy's house the home he needs.
"I do want to see this house where he can move and be able to do the things you and I can do," said Richardson.
"Oh, I'll definitely be back to see him return," Sykes said, smiling.
It's an overwhelming show of support for a family that's traveled a painful, yet inspiring journey. The inspiration comes from Muzzy's attitude.
"It wasn't a matter of 'I can't do anything now. I'm handicapped,'" recalled Wirt. "No, he never did that. He just said 'This is a challenge and I'm up for it."
"He's amazing."
The Fundraiser for Cory Muzzy is Saturday, October 25th from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It's located at the Clinton Expo Center, 414 Warsaw Road, Clinton, NC. Food plates are $7. Sixty vendors will be on-site.
To follow SGT. Muzzy's progress visit this facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theteammuzzy/timeline?ref=page_internal.
