Independence for a Minnesota Family

After a successful Charter our Community home rebuild in Rochester, Minnesota, Charter Communications volunteers headed about an hour north to Farmington, Minnesota. There our employees gathered to install a wheelchair ramp to help a family gain independence.

The process started when homeowners Tom and Wendy Preston reached out to Rebuilding Together Twin Cities which in turn connected with Charter our Community. “We’ve been through a lot in the last six years and this is the first time we have needed to ask for help,” said Wendy. “It takes 3 to 4 people to get my husband in and out of the house, and I couldn’t do it myself.”

Homeowner Wendy pushes her husband Tom down their new ramp for the first time

 

Health Challenges

Wendy suffers from multiple sclerosis and caring for her husband Tom has become more challenging. Her husband has a multitude of health issues, and recently had his leg amputated.

“Tom has only been able to go outside for doctor appointments and he is frustrated that he can’t be more independent. We have many doctor appointments coming up with Tom needing a prosthetic, so the timing is perfect,” said Wendy. “Having all of the Charter our Community volunteers here is overwhelming and the words ‘thank you’ just is not enough.”

 

Charter Communications employees – and husband and wife – Michael and Stephanie pose for a quick picture

 

Charter Families Helping Families

Husband and wife Charter video repair representatives Michael and Stephanie Litzau were happy to help – for the second time in a month; they previously volunteered at the Rochester event. They drove almost two hours get to Farmington.

“What goes around comes around,” said Michael. “Charter is putting financial resources and manpower behind helping our community and that makes me proud to work for this company.”

The heartfelt gratitude expressed by Tom as he rolled his wheelchair down the ramp for the first time moved a couple of Charter employees to tears. “From the bottom of my heart, I just can’t thank you enough,” said Tom. “While my deck only had three steps, it was a huge pain to get up and down them. When I get my prosthetic, I want to join your group and help anyway that I can.”

Homeowners Wendy and Tom see their newly landscaped backyard for the first time

Charter our Community volunteers give this event a big thumbs up!

(L-R) Charter Communications volunteers Robbin and Jeannette prepare to demolish the front steps, making way for a new ramp

Christine, the wife of Charter Communications employee Robert, works on the ramp

Charter Communications volunteers put together boards to frame up the wheelchair ramp

Charter Communications employees Conrad and Melissa take turns cutting the lumber on the skill saw

Charter Communications employees Jeannette and Conrad take a break to smile for the camera

Charter Communications employees Robbin and Justin work together to prepare the lumber

Charter Communciations employee LeeAnn uses the skill saw to cut wood for the ramp

Charter Communications employee Brenda always has a smile on her face