Our Next Project: A ramp/deck for the Shaw family
.by Kyle Korver on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 4:53pm.
Spencer and Kerry Shaw, married 10 years, were college sweethearts at Brigham Young University. Three years into\ their marriage they became parents to the first of 3 beautiful boys, Ethan (7), Mason (6), and Ezra (2). Their son Mason was born prematurely with a rare genetic skin disease. When he was born he had a collodion membrane which resembles a yellow, tight and shiny film that covers the whole body. This membrane then undergoes a peeling revealing the underlying skin disorder. Kerry described him as a “raw baby” after the peeling process had taken place. As a result of complications from the genetic skin disease, Mason suffered brain damage causing many physical and mental disabilities. These include a seizure disorder, cerebral palsy as well as being deaf and blind. He is and will remain wheelchair bound.
Kerry describes Mason as charming little boy. “Everyone falls in love with him. Within just minutes of meeting him he wins you over.” Their sons, Ethan and Ezra are amazing with him. Kerry said she loves to watch them with him and they are absolutely adorable.
Kerry’s boss and the family support group at the Utah School for the Deaf Blind informed Kerry of the Seer Group and the work we do for families in need. An appointment was set to look at their house and we have the privilege of working with the Shaw family to get a ramp built for them. However, there was a little bit more work that needed to be done before we could start. Their home had some foundational issues that needed to be rectified before we could begin work on the ramp.
Kerry contacted cement contractors and landscapers. Tri-L Concrete is the concrete company that performed the foundation work needed and was gracious enough to donate the labor and all of the supplies needed to fix the foundation. Morty’s Landscaping excavated their yard to make it possible for the concrete company to do their work and will be coming back to help put it all back together. They were able to give the Shaw family a huge discount. Several neighbors, family, and friends rallied around the family to break up concrete and help in any way they could. This family is so incredibly grateful for all of the help that has been provided from everyone involved.
The foundational issues have been resolved and we will be able to begin our end of the renovation. Currently, they cannot get his chair into the house and when asked how this ramp would change their lives, Kerry told us that at the moment Mason has to lay on the floor because he is getting too big for her to pick up and carry everywhere. Therefore, he is being left out of the simplest of things such as dinner time. Being able to bring his chair into the house will allow him to sit at the dinner table with his family. All in all he will be able to spend more time with his family which will improve his quality of life. She said “It’s going to be great.”
This is what we get to do at the Seer Group. We get to help improve the quality of life for families. We get to help families spend time together at the dinner table. Things that so many of us take for granted. Moments that are so precious to families we get to make possible. You get to make it possible because of your support. We thank you for that support because we could not do it without you.
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