Hello friends,

My name is Debbie Ethington. I’m writing this because my husband, Richard (“Rich”), needs help he would never ask for himself.

Rich served our country in the U.S. Army and spent over forty years as a professional painter. Until recently, he was the first to volunteer when someone else needed a hand. Two years ago, our lives changed when he suffered another stroke. He has since experienced several transient ischemic attacks (mini‑strokes) and developed early‑onset dementia. This combination has left him weak, confused and dependent on others for the simplest tasks like dressing and bathing.

We’ve watched a proud, active man become housebound. Without a ramp he cannot leave our house safely; he can’t navigate the stairs alone and refuses to risk falling. He feels trapped and burdensome, and it’s crushing to see him lose the independence he once took for granted.

A properly designed handicap‑accessible ramp will give Rich something we all take for granted: freedom. It will let him get outside, use an electric scooter to visit friends or go to the park, and restore a bit of dignity. It will also ease the strain on me as his caregiver – no more risking injury trying to help him down steps.

We’ve saved what we can, but on a fixed income we simply can’t afford the materials and professional construction needed to build a safe, permanent ramp. As hard as it is for us to ask, we need help.

How you can help:

Donate whatever you can. Every dollar counts.

Share this story on social media, by email or word‑of‑mouth. The more people who see it, the better.

If you’re local and have construction skills, consider volunteering your time or lending tools.

If you work for a hardware store, contractor or supplier, consider donating materials or giving us a discount.

Your support will directly pay for the cost of materials and labor. If we exceed our goal, any extra funds will go toward an electric scooter and ongoing care expenses.

We appreciate every bit of help, whether it’s a donation, a share, or a kind word. Thank you for helping Rich regain the independence and joy he deserves.

– Debbie

Why We Set a $10,000 Goal (Cost Breakdown & Transparency)

To be transparent with donors about how we arrived at our $10,000 goal, here’s a breakdown of the anticipated costs. These numbers are estimates based on quotes we’ve already received and common expenses for this type of project:

Materials (modular/removable ramp system, handrails, hardware) Estimated Expense: $4,500–$5,000

Professional Labor (installation and safety checks)

Estimated Expense: $2,000

Electric Scooter (used or entry‑level new model)

Estimated Expense: $1,000

Contingency (unexpected costs, design changes, weather delays) Estimated Expense: $1,500

Platform & Processing Fees (GoFundMe transaction fees, campaign costs)

Estimated Expense: $500–$1,000

Total Estimate ≈ $10,000

We’ve set the goal slightly higher than the basic quotes to cover unforeseen expenses and ensure we don’t fall short. Being open about these numbers helps build trust and shows exactly how your contributions will be used. If actual costs are lower than expected, any remaining funds will be directed toward Rich’s mobility needs and future care.

Other Resources We Are Exploring

We are also investigating programs like the VA’s Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) benefit, which funds medically necessary modifications such as permanent ramps, and local assistive technology programs or independent living centers, which sometimes provide grants or labor for accessibility projects. We’re contacting nonprofit organizations like Rebuilding Together’s Safe at Home program and exploring specialized grants such as the I Got Legs Foundation and Joseph Groh Foundation. These may reduce our out-of-pocket expenses, but most programs have waiting lists or eligibility requirements, which is why fundraising remains so important.

Thank you again for your generosity and compassion.