Habitat SHR began construction on this home early this summer for the Boatright family. Volunteers have been out on site two days a week diligently working to complete this home for the Boatright family.
Wachovia/Wells Fargo Foundation
East Coast Appliance
Lowe’s Women Build
Whirlpool®
Valspar®
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Early Summer 2010 | Begin Foundation Work |
| July 2010 | Begin having volunteers onsite |
| July-October 2010 | Continue building on schedule with inspections and calling in trades |
| October 30, 11am | Dedicate |
| December 2010 | Pass final inspections and family moves in! |
I know you don’t know me – but I ask that you please take a moment to let me thank you… because the hero of my story is you.
My story begins seventeen years ago. I left Ottawa, Ontario for America and married a U.S. soldier. We left for Europe for what promised to be an adventurous tour of duty. Unfortunately, that adventure turned into an emotional roller coaster ride spanning more than a decade and leading me to Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads.
In Hanau, Germany I gave birth to my first son, Garrett. He was born with Down’s Syndrome and was also diagnosed as needing open-heart surgery. We returned to the United States for Garrett’s surgery. He was a trooper and got through it; however, it was not the last of his health issues.
When Garrett was three months shy of his fourth birthday he had congestive heart failure causing his heart to stop and a lack of oxygen to his brain for 30 minutes, thus taking him from running and playing to confinement in a wheelchair, and permanently dependent on someone for his survival. In 2001, Garrett had his second open-heart surgery. However, during his hospitalization he contracted pneumonia and other complications over and above the anoxic brain injury. He now requires care 24/7.
Eight years later, divorced and with Garrett’s younger brother, Adyn, we are waiting to move into a "universal" Habitat house, so Garrett can live at home with his brother and me. My family will be complete.
Last year, I had another setback; I was involved in a car accident and suffered major damage to my back. I can’t pick up Garrett like I used to and that’s hard, but I don’t lament, there are people who are in worse shape than me.