Joseph Bailey Jr. loves to ride horses, scuba dive, and kayak. He served in the Navy and can often be found at the Habitat build site, using his strength to build hope for his fellow homebuyers.
You’d be surprised to find out that he is 66 years old and has quadriplegia. But he continues to see his life as one made for service.[mk_image src=”https://habitattucson.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/img_0118.jpg” image_size=”large” desc=”Joseph working alongside Team Depot Volunteers” align=”center”]
“If you don’t serve mankind then what are you doing in this world?”
Joseph has a passion for veteran advocacy. He transformed his love of horseback-riding and kayaking into therapeutic opportunities for fellow veterans, where he volunteers through programs like TROT (Therapeutic Riding of Tucson), Heroes on the Hudson, The Greater Southern Arizona Area Chapter of Buffalo Soldiers, and Heroes on Horses. On Fridays, Joseph drives around Tucson, picking up homeless veterans and bringing them to his church, Siloam Christian Church, so they can have a hot meal.
Joseph looks at it this way, “If you don’t serve mankind then what are you doing in this world?”[mk_image src=”https://habitattucson.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/img_0022-e1548264685381.jpg” image_size=”large” desc=”Veteran Joseph Bailey Jr. has been serving his community all his life.” align=”center”]Originally from Harlem, New York, Joseph joined the Navy after high school. “It’s my duty and responsibility to serve and protect this country,” said Joseph. “I also want my family to feel a sense of pride for what I did. I plan to be buried in Arlington cemetery. It’s an honor to be part of history.”
During his service, Joseph started experiencing pain in his neck. Joseph and his fellow Marines were on deck, preparing to leave port, when a line got caught. Joseph hurried to release then line. But when he went with it into the water, the impact to his neck deeply affected the left side of his body. For a time, he couldn’t move his left hand and left leg.
Joseph had corrective surgery in 2002. A synthetic disk was inserted in his neck and he now uses a remote-control device on his left leg to help him walk.[mk_image src=”https://habitattucson.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/josephbailey_edited_8739.jpg” image_size=”large” desc=”Joseph sharing his experience at World Habitat Day 2018″ align=”center”]
“It’s my duty and responsibility to serve and protect this country,” said Joseph. “It’s an honor to be part of history.”
Now he can often be found at the Habitat Tucson build site, hammering away, climbing ladders, and welcoming fellow Habitat homebuyers as they build side by side.
Joseph has completed over 250 sweat equity hours and he’s loved every minute of it. He’ll be the first of his generation to own a new home.
“Habitat gives you the opportunity to be your own landlord,” says Joseph. “Habitat gives you freedom and independence. Finding out about Habitat at the time that I did, I feel it was meant to be.”[mk_image src=”https://habitattucson.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/lowes-sherry-joseph_0150.jpg” image_size=”large” desc=”Joseph Bailey Jr. builds alongside fellow Habitat Tucson homebuyer Sherry Tilton.” align=”center”]Joseph sees himself volunteering for Habitat until he physically can’t anymore. Since he’s devoted his life to one of service, he’s happy to find that Habitat volunteers share the same values.
“I meet a lot of caring people at Habitat. They travel far, from Michigan or Wisconsin. They’re patient and professional. No matter how many times I ask the same question, someone patiently answers it,” he says. “And every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday I’m going to the build site. That is what I look forward to.”
Thank you, Joseph, for building homes, community, & hope here in Tucson!
Donate to Habitat Tucson’s Veteran Build Program[mk_image src=”https://habitattucson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/homedepot_logo.png” image_size=”full”]