Independence Brings Tears of Joy

man in wheelchair on ramp

Charles uses a wheelchair because he has had a foot amputated and without a ramp on his home, it was extremely difficult for him to leave the house. At the point when he connected with Disability Network through our Ramp Up program, he desperately needed a ramp. When our staff contacted Charles to let him know we had lined up funding and a volunteer group to build his ramp, he was so grateful he cried.

We coordinated with volunteers from First Congregational Church and Boy Scout Troup 623. Kyle, an Eagle Scout with Troup #623 chose this ramp  as his Eagle Scout project because he wanted to help someone in his community in a way that would make a meaningful difference in their life.  A ramp is a great project to accomplish that goal – just ask Charles!

When the ramp was completed, Charles came out to thank everyone and to “test drive” the ramp. The volunteers all cheered for him as he reached the bottom and again his eyes filled with tears. Charles is very grateful to be able to leave his house whenever he needs to and often enjoys sitting on the ramp’s landing to soak up some sunshine.

sponsor logos

Our Ramp Up program is funded in part by our annual RAMP-A-THON campaign. Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors for supporting the work we do to remove barriers in our community. Our 2020 sponsors are: Allied Mechanical Services, Integrity Back & Brain, Senior Services of Southwest Michigan, Charles River Laboratories, Ron Jackson Insurance, AVID an Employee Resource Group of the Whirlpool Corporation, Aetna Better Health of Michigan, Northside Ministerial Alliance and Paragon Ophthalmology.