4MyChild: Help and Hope for Life

November 27, 2006

Community to Build House for Cerebral Palsy Victim

Habitat for Humanity builds home for teenage boy and his parents.

Community to build house for Cerebral Palsy victim
By WAYNE MORTON
Anderson Independent-Mail
November 24, 2006

Giving to help others has special meaning in Lavonia this holiday season as Franklin County residents prepare to build a unique home for a cerebral palsy victim and his parents.

Keifer Reynolds, 16, son of Keith and Pat Reynolds, has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair, according to Jerry Beaty, board member of the Franklin County Habitat for Humanity.

“Their home is far too small for a wheelchair, so we are going to build a new handicapped-accessible home complete with ramps, rails and lifts,” he said.

Keifer has other medical issues associated with his disease and will have brain surgery in a few weeks.

“We are also going to build a roll-in shower and lifts into the ceiling so Keifer can be moved from room to room much easier,” Mr. Beaty said. “We just want to make it easier for him and for his parents.”

A number of volunteers who work in the construction industry stand ready to help with the six-month project, which will require giving up holiday time to help the family.

“The sacrifice is what it is all about,” Mr. Beaty said. “That’s what we are about in helping others.”

Under Habitat for Humanity guidelines, candidates for a house are screened and receive financial counseling to determine the level of their ability to pay construction costs. The Franklin County Habitat for Humanity, organized in 1996, has constructed four homes in the county. The Reynolds house will be the first in Lavonia.

“What is truly amazing and people will want to come to see (is when) the four walls go up and the roof (is) put on, all in one day,” Mr. Beaty said.

Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry based in Americus, Ga. More than 200,000 houses have been built worldwide by the organization. There are more 2,100 affiliates like the Franklin County group located in 92 countries and all 50 states in the United States.

Volunteers are needed and may contact the Franklin County Habitat for Humanity at (706) 356-5479, or by e-mail at franklinhabitat@yahoo.com. Visit Franklin County Georgia Habitat for more information.

Read more inspirational stories about cerebral palsy.