Robert Smith of Lehigh Acres suffers from degenerative disc disease and leg embolisms leaving him dependent on a wheelchair for mobility. Smith’s need for a wheelchair made the short four-foot staircase leading to his home an insurmountable obstacle. His inability to climb stairs left the recent widower and father of two housebound and unable to complete daily tasks.

Last week Builders Care, the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA) and volunteers joined forces to build a 55-foot Americans with Disabilities Act compliant wheelchair ramp with landings at Smith’s home.

Local businesses and dozens of volunteers contributed to completing the $6,500 project to mitigate the obstacle to Smith’s mobility. Raymond Building Supply, Suncoast Contractor’s Supply, Debbie Gwaltney Gobblepalooza, Harbor Springs Building Company, Nilles Design, Priority Marketing, Preferred Materials, GulfCoast Engineering, LLC, Evans Pizza, Land Solutions and West Coast Structural Concrete & Masonry donated design services, plans, materials and more.

Just two days before Christmas, on Wednesday December 22, the project was completed. With the ramp completed, a teary-eyed Smith was wheeled down the ramp for the first time.

“This is just amazing. I can hardly believe it,” Smith said while surrounded by family, friends, and volunteers and contributing partners. “I will forever be indebted to you. What a wonderful gift.”

As Project Number 100 for the Lee BIA Builders Care, the Robert Smith Ramp increased the total emergency construction services provided to over $1.8 million since 2006.

Builders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA). Its objective is to provide emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. Builders Care enlists the volunteer services of Lee BIA members and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County.

Donations to Builders Care can be made online at www.LeeBuildersCare.org, or to the Builders Care general fund at BB&T Page Field branch at 4959 South Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers. More information is available by calling 239-938-0056.

CAPTIONS AT RIGHT:

Volunteers building and installing wheelchair ramp at Lehigh home of Robert Smith

Finished wheelchair ramp Robert Smith far right. Photos Provided