Latesha was 28 years old and the mother of five children when she became the innocent victim of gun violence in her neighborhood. Latesha was in her front yard when a bullet from a near-by drive-by shooting hit her and damaged her spinal cord, resulting in paraplegia.
Latesha’s life was turned upside down and there were many new realities she needed to adjust to. She has the support of family and friends, and qualified for Medicare to provide a home-care provider. Latasha acquired a motorized wheel chair, but she was unable to leave the house because all of the entrances to her home had stairs.
Disability Network Southwest Michigan connected with Latesha when she contacted our Information & Referral department to inquire about our Ramp Up program. Our staff coordinated the efforts of several area agencies to combine resources and ensure that she got a ramp as quickly as possible.
When we visited with Latesha shortly after her ramp was completed she was “beyond grateful.” She said as soon as the ramp was completed she scheduled appointments with a physical therapist who told her that with continued therapy they would try leg braces. Latesha said she was very hopeful for increased mobility, and that the ramp was a key component to getting there.
Your RAMP-A-THON donation could help build a ramp for someone in need! RAMP-A-THON supports our Ramp Up program which builds or purchases ramps for people with mobility disabilities in Southwest Michigan. No donation is too big or too small! Please use the button below to make your on-line donation or contact Kristen Potts (269-345-1516 x119) in our Kalamazoo office for other donation methods.
Thank you to our RAMP-A-THON Finishing sponsors: Integrity Back & Brain, Senior Services Southwest Michigan, and Whirlpool Corporation/AVID.