United States Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Jason Tabansky took home the gold medal for Team USA in Paralympic Archery at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Staff Sergeant Tabansky was a recipient of one of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment)’s smart homes in 2021.
The R.I.S.E. program builds custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) coordinated to provide flooring Staff Sergeant Tabansky’s home in San Antonio, Texas. The flooring was donated by Mullican Flooring, an NWFA member.
Staff Sergeant Tabansky enlisted in the Army in December 2000 as a Chinook helicopter mechanic, and was deployed to Kandahar, then Taji, Iraq. In September 2015, he became paralyzed from the chest down following a routine demonstration of a new Chinook helicopter in London, England.
The Gary Sinise Foundation’s website states: “Since his injury in 2015, Jason has become an avid bow hunter, fisherman, and bass player for his church. A physical therapist suggested he try competitive archery, which Jason embraced with talent, determination, and passion – earning him a spot on the U.S. Paralympic team. Jason says, ‘Archery has blessed me with many friends all over the world and we are friends on and off the field of play. I’m looking forward to finally getting to compete on the biggest stage for our sport.’ Jason competed in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and brought home the gold medal after defeating the number one archer in the world.”
Staff Sergeant Tabansky shared several photos from the Paralympics here on his Instagram.
In addition to the 77 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 12 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 157 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics, and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $6.9 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. participating companies can be found at nwfa.org/giving-back.aspx.
To learn more about the program, and how you and/or your company can get involved, contact the NWFA at 800.422.4556, or e-mail anita.howard@nwfa.org.