More than a ramp: Labor of Love makes a world of difference
Press release
All across Henderson County there are folks in need of help from situations they never saw coming.
When we are young, not much looks like an insurmountable obstacle, especially the steps and porch that allow us to get in and out of our homes. In fact, the entrances to our homes are often considered “innovative” or “artistic” instead of simple and practical. This reality can hit us right between the eyes in later years but it can also cause major hardship even earlier when life throws you a curve. One such situation has brought great hardship to Christina.
She lives in a nice home and the porch is large and easy to move around on and hey, it only takes three steps to get from the ground onto that nice porch and into the house. However, when you are only 29 years old and the curse of Multiple Sclerosis forever alters your world, those three steps become a tragic diagnosis.
Christina’s MS has progressed to the point that a wheelchair is a must for her mobility and normal concrete steps don’t allow her any freedom to get in and/or out of her home. They also make it extremely difficult for any caregiver to move her to and from a vehicle to take her to all of the necessary appointments. Most of us take this freedom for granted but when it’s taken from you, where do you turn for help.
This week a group of volunteers from “Labor of Love” showed up with the solution Christina and her caregivers needed, a wheelchair ramp! A team of six Labor of Love volunteers showed up with all the tools and talent needed to solve the problem. It is extremely important to build a ramp with the right design to make it’s use helpful, not to contribute to an already dangerous situation. The team set to work and before lunch time the project was completed.
In the photo you can see the excitement on Christina’s face as she sits on the new ramp while repeatedly thanking the volunteers for giving her back a degree of freedom she desperately needed.
The Team included John Chambers, Keith Hepker, Paul Dooley, Jerry Henry (Vice President), Becky Hepker, Christina, Shannon and Phil Giesey (not pictured).
Labor of Love consists completely of Volunteers who use their skills to help those who can’t keep their homes safe. They are always looking for people willing to join the organization to help make Henderson County a safe and wonderful place to live. If you want to learn more or want to join, contact us at laboroflove.athens@gmail.com or call 903-675-5683.
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Hannigan Media is sponsored by Athens Screen Printing, Tinsley Law & Title, Gibson Pharmacy, AVCO Roofing, and Super 8 Athens TX.
