Stephanie Keaton had been at the top of the city’s waiting list for a wheelchair ramp since April and as of December, the project had not been scheduled.
Keaton, 63, lives on a small fixed income. She has a degenerative bone disease and arthritis in her back, neck, arms and legs.
Surgery is not an option because Keaton has had blood clots in her lungs and is on blood thinner medication.
Barely able to stand anymore, she cannot leave her home without assistance. Even with help, it is extremely painful and traumatic. She misses being able to get fresh air and see the sun.
Fortunately for Keaton, Kim Myers, the occupational therapist working with her, is also the daughter-in-law of the owner of Lumber Unlimited, a longtime NEFBA member with close ties to Builders Care.
Lumber Unlimited’s former owner, the late Ken Kester, was a founding member of Builders Care.
Myers contacted Builders Care.
“We were touched by Stephanie Keaton’s plight,” said Justin Brown, Builders Care executive director. “Ms. Keaton was missing out on the simple pleasure of being outside. And a wheelchair ramp would give her an opportunity to venture and not be kept a prisoner in her own home.”
Lumber Unlimited generously offered to donate the wood and supplies for Keaton’s ramp.
Builders Care teamed up with a Thursday morning Bible study group of building industry insiders who donate their Saturdays once a quarter to build ramps for those in need.
“Because of everyone’s generosity, Builders Care was able to get this ramp built for just $100,” Brown said. “We can’t thank everyone enough for the gift that they have given Ms. Keaton this Christmas season.”
Builders Care was created as a charitable arm of NEFBA in 2001 with the purpose of helping eradicate sub-standard housing in Jacksonville.
Making homes safe and accessible for disabled individuals was also part of the original mission.