Joe Uchniat
In the January/February 2011 issue of Mobility Matters, we shared the story of the Chestnut family, whose two children, Shelby (age 8) and Benjamin (age 6), both have serious neurologic illnesses. In order to pay for their children’s medical expenses and equipment, the Chestnuts began fundraising efforts. The efforts became so successful that they developed the Chestnut Foundation, an organization that helps families with more than one child with a disability to get the resources they need to meet their medical/mobility expenses.
Shelby & Benjamin Chestnut
When VCI Mobility’s part-time driver, Joe Uchniat, picked up the Chestnut’s van to bring it to our Norristown location for the installation of mobility equipment, he noticed that the family home didn’t have an adequate ramp. In fact, Matthew Chestnut, the children’s father, had to carry the children out of the house to help them into their power chairs because the ramp they had was so inadequate.
Inspired, Joe, along with a group of volunteers, developed plans for a safer, more reliable ramp. In addition, they raised funds to purchase the necessary building materials, secured the appropriate zoning permits, and met with building inspectors.
“We had no trouble getting volunteers or material, everyone was happy to help,” Joe said.
Once the crew was gathered, including the children’s father and grandfather, they repaired the front porch, built railings and a ramp, and poured a cement sidewalk, creating a smooth path from the bottom of the ramp to the roadside. After 5 months of work, Shelby and Benjamin are now able to get in and out of their house with little or no assistance.
New Ramp for the Chestnut Family’s House
“It really feels good to see the children fly up and down the ramp and go wherever they need to go,” Joe said. “It makes it easier for the whole family.”
VCI Mobility applauds the time and effort Joe put into this great cause!