SJUMC Weaver Small Group

Summer Mission Project - Wheelchair Ramp - June 9th, 2012

Saint James United Methodist Church
Weaver Small Group Summer 2012 Mission Project
In Partnership with the Montgomery Center for Independent Living (MCIL)
Saturday, June 9, 2012

Weaver Group Participants: John Dow, Mike Weaver, Aaron Wright, Sharon Ward, Clay Weaver
Saint James Provided Expertise/Management: Alan Brewer
(Special thanks to Alan Brewer who provided everything to make this project successful. Without his help creating and pricing the materials list, providing transportation of materials, committing two full days of prep work building the foundation, providing all the tools, providing project management and expertise, and taking on quite a few bumps and bruises, this project would have never happened. Thank you Alan!)

Project Background: The Montgomery Center for Independent Living will empower people with all disabilities to fully participate within their communities by providing education, skills training, peer support, and advocacy. The Center encourages people with disabilities to support one another in reaching their own independent living goals. The Center also promotes equal access and disability rights through advocacy and public awareness activities.

The Weaver group was seeking a summer mission project, so Clay contacted Kent Crenshaw at MCIL seeking verified river region citizens that were in need of wheelchair ramps at their residences. Kent was able to identify a client in Wetumpka as a person in need of a ramp. The MCIL agreed to purchase all the building materials if we would provide the labor and expertise to build the ramp.

The client is a double amputee who lost her limbs due to diabetes and uses a wheelchair for mobility. Her mobile home was not accessible by wheelchair other than a makeshift ramp constructed from a sheet of plywood. She required assistance using the existing ramp and her niece had a difficult time getting her in and out of the home.

This what the original ramp looked liked.

Alan was able to get a big head start on Friday.

Alan's son, Alan, was able to help in the morning on Friday.

Alan is very particular. Jeffery came in the afternoon on Friday to help out.

On Saturday the rest of the team showed up. Here Mike is nailing down some decking with a nail gun.

Alan measures a special cut around a post.

Mike starts nialing on the hand rails.

This is finsihed product. That one section is 32 feet. We were able to add steps on the side.

Mike was standing under the tent during a heavy rain. Little does he know that water is collecting on the sagging tent directly above his head. He doesn't notice it, but John does.