While serving his first tour, retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant John Peck suffered a traumatic brain injury from an improvised explosive device (IED). Once healed, John was determined to rejoin his brothers. Two years later, he returned to his unit in Afghanistan.

During his second tour, on May 24, 2010, John was severely injured by another IED. In that moment he recalls thinking, “I don’t want to die here, please don’t let me die here.” The explosion took both of his legs and his left arm. Later, due to a severe infection, he lost his right arm as well. John was in a coma for three months. It took him over two years to recover.

On Veterans Day 2012, John was handed the keys and iPad to his new custom specially adapted smart home in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

In August of 2016, John underwent a bilateral arm transplant. Doctors say that with this transplant, John will eventually be able to feel, grasp, and hold on again. He is looking forward to pursuing his dreams of becoming a chef.