13-year-old Parker Resident Receives Home Makeover Thanks to Home Builders Foundation and Partners
The Home Builders Foundation (HBF) recently partnered with Richmond American Homes and Van Dyk Construction to remodel the home of Joshua B., a 13-year-old Parker resident living with cerebral palsy and cortical visual impairment.
Josh was born at 28 weeks and spent the first four months of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit in the hospital, going on and off life support. As a result of those early challenges, he is nonverbal and non-mobile (wheelchair bound). In spite of those challenges, he is a happy, smart and determined boy who loves to bike and spend time with his family, friends and neighbors.
Like most 13-year-olds, Josh is growing. It became increasing difficult (to the point of impossible!) for his family to continue carrying him up the stairs, where his bedroom and bathroom were located. It was also challenging to enter and exit the home in his wheelchair, without an accessible solution to assist. That’s where the Home Builders Foundation (HBF) became a part of Josh’s story.
The HBF is a metro-Denver based nonprofit that modifies homes to make them accessible so that individuals living with a disability can live safe, independent lives once again. After receiving the Josh’s request for assistance, the HBF visited the home to assess the project and began sourcing a Project Captain to complete the work. Van Dyk Construction stepped in first to build a ramp with a crew of volunteers during the HBF’s annual Blitz Build event last August.
In the meantime, the family moved Josh’s bedroom to the main level to limit the number of trips up and down the stairs. However, bathing was still upstairs and increasingly difficult. Richmond American Homes then joined the HBF crew for Josh, and modified the first floor powder bath so Josh could bathe there, instead of traversing the stairs.
“Every time I push Josh’s wheelchair down the front ramp, or take him into his bathroom for a bath, I am humbled by how big of a difference it makes to not have to carry him up and down the stairs or tip his wheelchair back to get down the front steps of our house to leave. The village of people – HBF, Van Dyk Construction and Richmond American Homes – who helped create these accessible spaces for him are truly remarkable human beings. They give me hope for a brighter future for Josh and for all of us.” – Joelle Brummett, Josh’s mom
The total value of the work completed for Josh is more than $20,000, but thanks to the HBF, Van Dyk Construction and Richmond American Homes, Josh and his family received these modifications at no cost. The modifications for Josh increase his safety, the safety for his caregivers, and allow all to focus more on his wellness journey.
About the Home Builders Foundation – HBA of Metro Denver’s Charity of Choice
The Home Builders Foundation (HBF) is a metro-Denver nonprofit that partners with the homebuilding industry to provide home modifications at no cost for individuals with physical disabilities. Since 1993, the organization has helped nearly 1,600 individuals with disabilities remain in their homes with dignity and independence. The mission of the Home Builders Foundation is to build independence, provide opportunities and elevate lives for individuals and families with disabilities in our community. For more information, visit www.hbfdenver.org.