Posted on Tue, Jul 20, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
This summer, McClurg Remodeling & Construction Services joined with 12 other local businesses to build a deck for Judy Aguirre, a Baldwinsville mother who suffered a spinal cord injury, which caused paralysis, when she fell in her home.
Once a year, the McClurg team works on a project to help an individual or group in the community as our way of “giving back.” We were approached by Judy’s sister, Jennifer Harte, a young mom herself, and asked if we could help Judy by building a deck that would allow her to exit her home and watch over her two sons. We met with Judy and her family and we were inspired by her strength and outlook for the future. We knew we had to help.
When we arrived on site we found a back door exit that she couldn’t use. We decided to create a large deck that spanned the length of the house to provide space for Judy to experience maximum mobility without encountering obstacles. We incorporated features that would allow her to resume an active lifestyle as she undergoes therapy for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Composite decking was selected because of its non-skid surface and easy maintenance. Glass side panels were installed on the deck for safety and aesthetics. Judy can view her yard without obstruction from the deck. A ramp with wood rails was built to allow Judy access to the yard. The deck will also enable her to exit the home in case of an emergency.
Over the course of the project we learned a great deal about Spinal Cord Injury. According to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center, 1 in 50 Americans experiences paralysis. That statistic accounts for approximately 6 million people. Here are some facts about Spinal Cord Injury:
- While stroke is the most prevalent cause of paralysis (29 percent of cases), Spinal Cord Injury ranks second (23 percent of cases). Multiple Sclerosis is the third most prevalent cause and accounts for 17 percent of cases.
- Approximately 1,275,000 Americans have experienced Spinal Cord Injury. Most injuries occur in the work place (28 percent) or in motor vehicle accidents (24 percent). Injuries due to sports or recreation activities account for 17 percent of cases while falls account for 9 percent. Fifty six percent of those injured are between the ages of 16 and 30. Every year there are 12,000 new injuries.
- The average annual cost for medical care required to treat a person with a spinal cord injury ranges from $288,566 to $775,567 during the first year following an accident. Depending on the severity of the injury, the annual cost of continuing care can range from $16,000 to $140,000.
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries and improving the lives of people living with paralysis by funding research and providing grants, information and advocacy.
Finally, we would like to recognize and thank our partners in the project:
84 Lumber, East Syracuse
Benjamin Electric
Black Glass
Calley's Hardware
Healy Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning
Liverpool Lumber Company
Matheison Portable Toilets
Nightingale True Value Hardware
Skaneateles Scapes
Tiger Claw Hidden Deck Fasteners
Trex Decking
Van Derhoof Roofing Company, Inc.
Posted on Mon, May 10, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
Judy Aguirre, a wife and mother of two young boys, fell in her Baldwinsville home last September and suffered a broken neck which left her paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. For three weeks she was in intensive care and she spent another 10 weeks in rehab. Throughout her ordeal, her main worry has been for her husband, Xavier, and their sons Nicolas, age 11, and Diego, age 8, who attend Reynolds Elementary School.
Judy's life has changed dramatically since the accident. While medical expenses were covered by insurance, rehab services, adaptive equipment and home conversion expenses were not. To address these needs, the Aguirre's family and friends held a fundraiser to purchase a used wheelchair van and pay for physical therapy.
Scott McClurg and I first met Judy and her family in February after being contacted by Judy's sister, Jen Harte. Jen had contacted us to ask for our help in adding a wheelchair accessible deck to the Aguirre's home. The meeting was not what we expected. For someone who had experienced an event which completely turned her life upside down, we were both surprised and inspired by Judy's amazingly positive attitude and outlook. We were also inspired by her family. Everyone, as it turns out, has rolled up their sleeves to help Judy, Xavier and the boys.
Scott and I felt honored to be invited to help out and joined "Judy's Crew!"
We shared our story about meeting Judy and her family with our employees and several of our suppliers. Their responses were overwhelming. They just asked "tell us what we can do to help." So, on May 19 we will begin work on a 16'x28' deck with a ramp off the back of the Aguirre's home. We will have help from Judy's new friends:
- Trex is donating decking material.
- Black Glass is donating glass railing panels.
- 84 Lumber is donating the structural pressure treated wood framing.
- Skaneateles Scapes will donate footing excavation.
- Liverpool Lumber will donate the fasteners and pressure treated rail materials.
- The McClurg Team will provide labor.
We're still seeking a donor to provide concrete. Contact Brian if you can help - 673-2051.
We're ready to go and excited about working with this wonderful group of neighbors. The deck will enable Judy to exit her home and spend time in the yard with her boys and family. She is determined to recover from her injuries and remain an active mother.
If you'd like to track our progress as Judy's deck is constructed, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We'll be posting pictures and periodic updates.
If you want to assist the Aguirres, one of their biggest challenges is preparing meals for the family. Xavier works a full day and returns home to care for Judy and the boys. Judy's sisters note that it would help tremendously to have pre-made meals for the family that Xavier could reheat. Gift cards for meals are welcome. The family can also use donations to help with the cost of physical therapy and rehab. For more information contact Jen Harte at (315) 254-9171.