Retired U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Joe Wilkinson was a member of the Security Forces. His tours of duty involved both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Joe is paralyzed from a degenerative nerve condition, which is part of Gulf War Syndrome. It is a chronic, multi-symptom illness believed to be caused by toxic chemicals.Joe is inspired by his family. On Christmas Eve 2012, Joe and his family moved into their new custom specially adapted smart home. Joe said, “More independence for me…That gives my family a break. My kids and my wife, they can go back to leading their lives…There are no words I can say to express my gratitude. Somehow I’ll pay it forward. My actions will show how grateful we are.”