Project Overview

PROJECT: 2012 HERO[series]
LOCATION: Grand Rapids, Michigan

VETERAN: Danielle Green
BRANCH: U.S. Army
DESIGNER: Phil Jones

VIDEO: Thomas Valdez
PHOTOS: Terry Johnston
PORTRAITS: Adam Bird
VENUE: GRid70
PARTNERS: Threadless

Design Story

"LIFE IS DOORS”

A former Notre Dame basketball shooting guard and U.S. Army Specialist, Danielle Green­ was hit by a rocket­ propelled grenade while on patrol in Iraq. After regaining consciousness in the hospital, she discovered that her dominant left arm had been blown off, along with her wedding ring.

Her design represents life’s journey. Each door is a symbol of her ever changing life, including the door knob changing orientation to accommodate her lost arm and a chapel door left open for eternity to symbolize the sudden and unexpected passing of her husband. Her collaborative design is a daily reminder to continue pushing forward, no matter what because when one door closes, another one will open.