Cameron

devastation

Cameron was born with Spina Bifida, so as soon as she was born they did surgery to put her spine back inside her body. Despite this, as a baby she could crawl. She had back surgery in 2015 to remove scar tissue and after the surgery she was never able to crawl again.

She is in a wheelchair full time and paralyzed from the waist down.

Mom & dad work really hard to let her be a “normal” little girl – she is in girl scouts, and takes dance classes  and does Ballet in her wheelchair. Both activities give her confidence and a chance to make friends.

 daily challenges

•Lifting & Transferring: She currently weighs 75 lbs., and is increasingly difficult to lift her into the tub, in and out of car.

•Non-Accessible Bathroom: She cannot get through the bathroom door in her wheelchair to wash her hands, brush her teeth, fix her hair.

•Bathtub: Lifting her and bending to wash her in the tub is causing back pain for mom.

•Cameron Needs her own Bedroom: She currently shares a room with her little sister, but with only 1 bed the little sister sleeps with mom & dad. A new room for Cameron will allow Addie her own room and give the parents the sanctuary of their own Master bedroom back.

•Entry into the House: A gravel driveway proved extremely difficult to maneuver her wheelchair to get her into the house.

design solutions

•Home Addition: Build an entire addition tot heir home that features a bedroom and bathroom for Cameron, which will connect seamlessly to their existing home. This included all new construction, as well as HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing.

•ADA Accessible Shower: A spacious roll-in tile shower allows Cameron to bathe herself in a wet chair

•ADA Sink & Toilet: Allows her to get to the sink in her wheelchair, and easier transfer onto the toilet.

•Closets: Two custom designed closets feature low shelves and rods so Cameron can choose her own clothes.

•Paved driveway: Now allows the car to pull up onto a smooth surface, so Cameron can wheel herself to the new ramp, and into the entrance to her new bedroom by herself.

•New Deck and Ramp: that goes directly into her bedroom.

impact

•Independence. She can wash her own hands, brush her own teeth, fix her own hair.

•Exercise. With a wheelchair ht. ballet barre and full height mirrors (just like in her dance studio), Cameron can practice her ballet at home and exercise her upper body and strengthen her core.

•“She Has Blossomed” said her mother about 2 weeks after the project was complete. “I can’t believe how much more independent she is now – it’s like she has come alive”.