Our 2 sons Hunter (age 17) and Cody (age 15) were born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Their SMA affects the strength of their voluntary muscles. They are unable to roll over, crawl, stand, or walk. Their SMA also affects their ability to swallow correctly, and cough effectively when they're ill. Both boys also developed scoliosis in their backs and had to have growing rods surgically put in. Due to their weakened muscles, the boys have been using power wheelchairs since they were 2 years old. In 2014 and 2016 they each got a new, larger size wheelchair. Having 2 larger sized power chairs impacted things. From 2016-2017 we held many fundraiser to help us purchase a new wheelchair accessible van with a raised roof for the boys since they were hitting their heads on the door frame of the old van.
Now it is our goal to build a custom, wheelchair accessible home for them. We bought an empty 1 acre lot in Independence, MO (about 1 mile from our current home) in March 2018. Our main reason for needing a new home is that we need more empty square footage space so the boys can drive around easier. We also need more space when we're helping them in the bathroom and bedroom. Our current home is 1200 sq ft, and the plans for our new home are 3200 sq ft. A new home would also fix other problems. Our taller size van currently does not fit in the garage, and we'd like to build a garage with taller doors so we can load and unload the boys and their medical equipment inside. We'd also like to eliminate main floor ramps. We currently have a ramp at our front door, and a ramp into our converted living room. When the boys are tired or cold these ramps make it hard for them to drive. We would also like to eliminate the hallway to the bedrooms, have wider doorways everywhere, and increase our medical storage space. In the new home we would also add larger windows that would make fire escape more possible for them, and we'd like to add access to our basement. Currently if there is a tornado, the boys have to drive outside and around the house (in the storm) to access the basement through the garage at the back of the house. This new, custom home would provide what the boys need now and into their futures.
We can't currently afford to start building though. We're not adding in fancy amenities, just building for functionality for the boys. A larger square footage home is naturally more expensive just because of its bigger size. And when you add in property taxes and home insurance for a larger size home, as well as interest on the mortgage, we can't make the estimated payment. We have and continue to save up money from our 2 jobs, but it's not enough yet. We've begun a pop/beer can fundraiser and we're trying to collect 20,000 lbs of empty cans to cash in at the metal recycling redemption center. As of now, we've collected 2,300 lbs of that total. All money raised will be added to the house down payment fund (about $10,000). We will also be selling popcorn at various fall and winter craft shows around the Kansas City area to also add funds to the house down payment fund. We know we will get there one day and start building this dream home. We just know that no matter how much we need this home now, we can't rush in to things and stretch ourselves too thin financially. Having 2 kids with medical needs, we know that expenses can arise quickly, insurance can change, and medicaid assistance can change at any moment. We have to plan for the worst, and hope for the best. So we'll continue saving until we feel we're ready to build. We appreciate all those who decide to help us on our house building journey! Every person who helps us will make construction day arrive a little bit sooner! Thank you - Stacie, Mike, Hunter, and Cody Edwards
Now it is our goal to build a custom, wheelchair accessible home for them. We bought an empty 1 acre lot in Independence, MO (about 1 mile from our current home) in March 2018. Our main reason for needing a new home is that we need more empty square footage space so the boys can drive around easier. We also need more space when we're helping them in the bathroom and bedroom. Our current home is 1200 sq ft, and the plans for our new home are 3200 sq ft. A new home would also fix other problems. Our taller size van currently does not fit in the garage, and we'd like to build a garage with taller doors so we can load and unload the boys and their medical equipment inside. We'd also like to eliminate main floor ramps. We currently have a ramp at our front door, and a ramp into our converted living room. When the boys are tired or cold these ramps make it hard for them to drive. We would also like to eliminate the hallway to the bedrooms, have wider doorways everywhere, and increase our medical storage space. In the new home we would also add larger windows that would make fire escape more possible for them, and we'd like to add access to our basement. Currently if there is a tornado, the boys have to drive outside and around the house (in the storm) to access the basement through the garage at the back of the house. This new, custom home would provide what the boys need now and into their futures.
We can't currently afford to start building though. We're not adding in fancy amenities, just building for functionality for the boys. A larger square footage home is naturally more expensive just because of its bigger size. And when you add in property taxes and home insurance for a larger size home, as well as interest on the mortgage, we can't make the estimated payment. We have and continue to save up money from our 2 jobs, but it's not enough yet. We've begun a pop/beer can fundraiser and we're trying to collect 20,000 lbs of empty cans to cash in at the metal recycling redemption center. As of now, we've collected 2,300 lbs of that total. All money raised will be added to the house down payment fund (about $10,000). We will also be selling popcorn at various fall and winter craft shows around the Kansas City area to also add funds to the house down payment fund. We know we will get there one day and start building this dream home. We just know that no matter how much we need this home now, we can't rush in to things and stretch ourselves too thin financially. Having 2 kids with medical needs, we know that expenses can arise quickly, insurance can change, and medicaid assistance can change at any moment. We have to plan for the worst, and hope for the best. So we'll continue saving until we feel we're ready to build. We appreciate all those who decide to help us on our house building journey! Every person who helps us will make construction day arrive a little bit sooner! Thank you - Stacie, Mike, Hunter, and Cody Edwards
Organizer
Stacie Edwards
Organizer
Independence, MO