Wheelchair accessible deck.
Donation protected
I am raising money to build a wheelchair accessible deck for my brother-in-law Ken.
Ken has Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type 2d (LGMD2D). Unlike the "normal" on-set of the disease, Ken had very minor symptoms in his early years and led a fairly normal life. When Ken reached his forties, the disease started to catch up to him. Ken is now in his very early 50's and is wheelchair bound. He has lost all muscle mass in his core which prevents him from walking, sitting up, and most all other daily activities. The disease continues to progress.
Ken was in the contracting business and later became a building inspector for Quakertown, PA. He was forced to stop working about five years ago. Ken's wife Karen lost her job as a graphic artist last year and is still unemployed. Ken and Karen have two children ages 11 and 13. They reside near Landsdale, PA.
Although they have limited income, Ken and Karen managed to have several doors widened and the bathroom in their home refurbished to accommodate a large battery operated wheelchair. Karen no longer has to take Ken to the YMCA for a shower.
Over the past two years Ken has talked about building a deck onto the back of his house so he can get outdoors and enjoy some sunshine. I have decided to take on this challenge and will be raising money to help defer the cost. I plan on using as much of my own funds as needed to complete the project. I am hoping to enlist some of Ken's friends and some other people with more building experience than me to complete the project over 3-4 days later this year.
Why does it cost so much to build this deck? To make the deck wheelchair accessible there are several building code guidelines that must be followed. First, the current door leading to the back stairway must be moved. Ken's wheelchair is large and cannot maneuver to the current location of the door so a large door must be placed into the existing exterior wall. The deck must be large enough to maneuver his chair and the secondary means of exit from the deck, a ramp, must also meet building code guidelines.
We all take for granted how easy it is to stroll outside on a nice warm day and enjoy the sunshine. Please help me give that opportunity to Ken.
Ken has Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type 2d (LGMD2D). Unlike the "normal" on-set of the disease, Ken had very minor symptoms in his early years and led a fairly normal life. When Ken reached his forties, the disease started to catch up to him. Ken is now in his very early 50's and is wheelchair bound. He has lost all muscle mass in his core which prevents him from walking, sitting up, and most all other daily activities. The disease continues to progress.
Ken was in the contracting business and later became a building inspector for Quakertown, PA. He was forced to stop working about five years ago. Ken's wife Karen lost her job as a graphic artist last year and is still unemployed. Ken and Karen have two children ages 11 and 13. They reside near Landsdale, PA.
Although they have limited income, Ken and Karen managed to have several doors widened and the bathroom in their home refurbished to accommodate a large battery operated wheelchair. Karen no longer has to take Ken to the YMCA for a shower.
Over the past two years Ken has talked about building a deck onto the back of his house so he can get outdoors and enjoy some sunshine. I have decided to take on this challenge and will be raising money to help defer the cost. I plan on using as much of my own funds as needed to complete the project. I am hoping to enlist some of Ken's friends and some other people with more building experience than me to complete the project over 3-4 days later this year.
Why does it cost so much to build this deck? To make the deck wheelchair accessible there are several building code guidelines that must be followed. First, the current door leading to the back stairway must be moved. Ken's wheelchair is large and cannot maneuver to the current location of the door so a large door must be placed into the existing exterior wall. The deck must be large enough to maneuver his chair and the secondary means of exit from the deck, a ramp, must also meet building code guidelines.
We all take for granted how easy it is to stroll outside on a nice warm day and enjoy the sunshine. Please help me give that opportunity to Ken.
Organizer
Pete Bailey
Organizer
Milton, DE
