Retired New Jersey State Trooper Brian Malast, who was paralyzed in a 2005 on-duty car accident, was welcomed into a newly renovated, accessible smart home earlier this week, thanks to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Whiting, N.J., where Colonel Patrick J. Callahan and a group of state troopers joined family and friends to celebrate Malast’s new home.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, known for its work supporting injured veterans and first responders, transformed Malast’s home to accommodate his mobility needs. Renovations include a new back deck with a ramp, a widened exterior door, and an upgraded master bathroom with a roll-in shower for wheelchair access. Smart technology, including automated lighting, speakers, and monitors, was also added throughout the home to increase convenience and independence.
Additionally, the foundation remodeled an adjoining “nurses’ room,” installing new flooring, cabinets, and a desk to organize essential medical supplies for Malast’s care.
The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program has become a lifeline for catastrophically injured first responders and veterans, building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes designed to restore independence.
