“I never knew there were so many wonderful, kind and helpful people. I am so grateful. They have become like family. I have brothers now that I never knew about.”
~ Maryann Sosa
Trevor resident
By Gail Peckler-Dziki/Correspondent
It never occurred to Maryann Sosa to ask for help. She just figured out how to make her home workable for her daughter, Isabella, who is confined in a wheelchair.
There was no entrance ramp, so the wheelchair had to be left in the storage shed outside and Isabella was carried into the home. The home was not built to accommodate the chair, so Maryann and Isabella did the best they could inside.
One day in late 2013, all that began to change.
Marcia Nolan is Isabella’s teacher at Wilmot High School. Marcia asked Isabella how she was and Isabella replied that she was cold. It was winter, but something about that reply was concerning, so Nolan began to investigate.
“She wasn’t cold just because it was winter,” Marcia said, “Her home was just too cold.”
Nolan discovered the issues, no ramp, no handicap accessibility, and furnace troubles as it had never had a furnace service. The next step was deciding whom to call.
Steve and Terry Bluemel were already involved in Special Olympics and Steve is a member of Westosha Kiwanis. Kiwanis members, very quietly and humbly, step up to help the community and those with special needs in particular.
And step up they did. “The first thing we took care of,” Bluemel said, “was the ramp. I made six or seven phone calls. We used Jason Kron’s garage. I expected about three guys to show up. When I got to his house, I had to park down the street, there were so many people there to help.”
Nearly 20 people showed up to build the ramp in sections. And nearly that many showed up at the Sosa house on Christmas Eve to put up and install the ramp.
Now Isabella can get in her home, but more alterations are needed to she can get around in her chair.
Jason Smith of Niles Construction is making sure that one bathroom is handicap accessible and the hallways are wide enough for the wheelchair. Reliable Heating and Rick Sheehan will make sure the furnace in the Sosa home keeps them warm. And Tim Bissonette and Kevin Crowley from Kenosha Plumbing are donating labor and parts to create a useable bathroom for Isabella.
When Sheehan went into the utility room to check on the furnace, he discovered that the floor was not in good shape. So Niles Construction will be replacing that also.
The skills of electrician Jeff Chop will also come in handy since a number of electrical boxes and things need to be moved. This is a dangerous task and so finding a professional electrician such as these Werribee electrical services is so important to make sure the home safe.
Bluemel said, “We will complete a project that could cost $10,000 to $15,000 for about $3,000 because our members have donated labor, some have donated materials and we have been able to purchase all materials at discounted prices. And Jack Rowland, Salem building inspector, has worked with us every step of the way helping to make things go smoothly for this family.”
“I’m not one to ask for help,” Maryann said at a recent Kiwanis monthly meeting where she and Isabella were special guests and Maryann spoke. “I don’t think to ask. We figured out what we needed to do and just did it. It’s amazing how much easier things can be.”
“Now we can wait inside for the school bus and when it comes,” Maryann explained, “I can wheel her out of the warm house and right into the bus.”
I never knew,” she continued, “that there were so many wonderful, kind and helpful people. I am so grateful. They have become like family. I have brothers now that I never knew about.”