A construction class at the OTC Table Rock Campus stepped up this morning to build a ramp for a Reeds Spring man who recently underwent an amputation.
Daniel Youngblood will be released from the Acute Rehabilitation Unit at Cox Medical Center Branson on Tuesday following the amputation of his lower right leg and the toes on his left foot. The 58-year-old now uses a wheelchair and needs a ramp to access the mobile home he shares with his wife, Rebecca.
Recently, Cox Branson reached out to the community through social media asking for help with the ramp. The medical center also offered a $500 grant to offset the cost of materials. Construction Instructor Steve Fischer learned about the project and took his students to the mobile home this morning to find a solution for Daniel.
“I tell these kids all the time to always find a way to give back and don’t ever quit helping others,” Fischer said. “They’ll graduate making good money, and I want them to remember this feeling of having a servant’s heart to make life easier for a stranger.”
Fischer and his carpentry students quickly assessed the situation and got to work this morning. They’ll finish up the project on Tuesday, and Youngblood will be greeted with a brand new wheelchair ramp.
“This feels so good,” said Connor Graves, OTC construction student. “Not only are we getting practice in construction, but we get to be part of a team that is making the difference in the life of someone who really needs it.”
The Youngbloods do need help. Besides his recent amputation, Daniel suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2010 that had permanent effects. Plus, Daniel’s wife, Rebecca, is disabled herself. This project is a great example of community partners coming together to help their neighbors.
“How lucky are we that we live in a community where people would step up to help a stranger,” said Janine-Johns-Shaffer, a social work manager at Cox Branson. “We are so touched that OTC took on this project to help our patient so he and his wife can get in and out of their home. Hooray for helpers!”