Home, sweet home ... again
By Herb Drill
Politics aside, as President of the United States, Jimmy Carter was deeply committed to social justice and basic human rights. He and his wife, Rosalynn, left the White House seeking meaningful ways to contribute in these areas. Among the ways, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP) for Habitat for Humanity International one week each year.
Less well-known, but providing their own impact, are the projects completed between Habitat units and home-building groups.
Just ask Melissa Monser and Chelsea Purcell about that.
One second, Chelsea Purcell was laughing with friends as they drove home to Bucks County after an enjoyable evening in Allentown. The next second, the 16-year-old Ottsville, PA resident's life changed forever. There was a violent automobile crash and the young woman with the beautiful smile suffered major injuries, including a severed aorta. She was paralyzed from the waist down and spent nearly two years in and out of hospitals.
At the end of 2004, Purcell couldn't occupy her cozy, second floor room, inaccessible for someone in a wheelchair. She slept in the living room until she went to Children's Hospital for more treatment. During the next three months, a transformation took place at her home, thanks to friends, family, and the Charitable Foundation of Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties (HBA).
Purcell's mother, Renee Danielle, and her step-father, Mike Bowers, co-owner of Bowers Brothers Inc. and formerly a framer for Ottsville-based Gartner Building Group, reached out to Joe Gartner, an active HBA member. Gartner and the HBA Charitable Foundation embraced the idea to add a fully-accessible wing to Purcell's home. The Foundation contributed $25,000, Gartner helped solicit supplies, and friends and family pitched in to build "Chelsea's dream suite."
On her next trip home, just after her 17th birthday, Purcell entered the addition that she, her mom, and step-father had designed. She settled in for a brief stay, and then went to Shriner's Hospital for more rehabilitation.
Another year, and Purcell, now 18, is ensconced firmly in her suite. She is finishing her senior year in high school, combining home study with two or three days at school, and plans to attend Bucks County Community College part-time.
On a recent visit to observe the final product, Gartner, now HBA president, walked through the 1,800-square-foot addition. He was impressed with the ceramic tile accessible bath, complete with washer/dryer, roll-in shower, and Purcell's lizard tank. "This makes us very proud at the HBA," says Gartner. "Helping others is an important mission for our members, and building is what we do best. When we can combine our mission with our craft, it is very rewarding," he concludes.
The suite, finished in Purcell's color choice of Nile green and cream, features a bamboo floor and ample space for myriad books, her treasured artifacts, and a computer station. An elevator, donated by friends and finished by Danielle's cabinet maker brother, Kurtis Mann, enables Purcell to go upstairs.
"I am really, really happy with the addition," remarks Purcell.
"It's so spacious, and I love all the windows. I can't wait to spend time on the deck during spring and summer."
Danielle, who helps Bowers run the construction business, expresses gratitude for the love and support their family received. "The HBA and many others made it possible for Chelsea to move out of our living room into a comfortable, accessible private suite. This is a wonderful blessing," she exclaims, as she gives her daughter a big hug.
When Melissa Monser was a child, she had to concentrate on every step she took, pushing herself mentally to put one foot in front of the other. The problem, which wasn't diagnosed until she was 18, is Friedreich's ataxia.
This is an inherited degenerative disease with sclerosis of the dorsal and lateral columns of the spinal cord with defective muscular coordination (ataxia), speech impairment, irregular movement, and paralysis of the muscles.
Monser's motivation inspires people who meet her, and today, at 38, she scoots around Ambler in a motorized wheelchair offering support to other people and organizations, including the Women's Center Domestic Violence Hotline, St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, and its Children's Faith Formation, Bereavement Ministry, and an ad hoc committee for the disabled. In addition, occasionally she cares for foster children.
Although Monser is a single mother living on very limited Social Security and child support, she asks for nothing. "I don't want to get food stamps or anything I don't need," she insists. "I know how to save money and make it stretch."
One thing she does need is a house for herself and her 11-year-old son, Jeremiah Monser-Doman. Thanks to the Charitable Foundation of the Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties (HBA), GMAC, and Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, Monser may get a brand new home. The Charitable Foundation, in cooperation with GMAC, recently contributed $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity to be used to build Monser a home during Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) Home Builders Blitz the week of June 6. The blitz, part of HFHI's 30th anniversary celebration, will involve 1,000 professional U.S. home builders, who will construct at least 1,000 homes in six days. This is the largest single contribution to affordable housing in the U.S. history.
"We are so proud to be part of this program," says Gary Fox, HBA Charitable Committee co-chair, who is senior vice president of real estate finance for Sovereign Bank. "Our committee has supported many Habitat for Humanity projects over the years, and the Home Builders Blitz represents an important milestone for all of us."
Monser is completing 200 sweat equity hours at Habitat for Humanity headquarters in Norristown, PA. "Sweat equity," explains Brenda Egolf-Fox, executive director, "is required for everyone who receives a Habitat home.
It gives the homeowner a sense of pride of participation and an opportunity to partner with volunteers. Melissa fits right in, and we look forward to seeing her each Friday. She isn't only a dedicated worker, but a delight to be with."
Monser is equally delighted. "It is so neat to meet families who will have Habitat homes and hear their stories. I love talking to them and working here. When I'm finished with my sweat equity hours, I won't go away. I made a connection, and Habitat is now part of my family."
If a town can be family, then Ambler is part of Monser's adopted kin, as well. She and Jeremiah don't want to leave the borough. "It seems like the community has me in mind," muses Monser. "It's not easy to find a town with wonderful people where everything is accessible - grocery stores, shops, churches. Amber is perfect."
Bud Wahl, Ambler's mayor, returns the compliment. "We want to keep Melissa in town," he declares. "She is a great example for everyone.
She gets out. She gets involved. She is very good for us and we hope we are good for her. Everybody knows and loves her, and we are all looking for land for that house," stated Mayor Wahl.
To meet Monser's needs and comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, the footprint for the home must be at least 33 by 55 feet. Thus, the building lot has to be 1,815 square feet or larger. Anticipating the HBA Blitz and success in locating a lot, HBA Charitable Committee members asked Monser how she envisioned her home. Her face lit up, and she spoke the words imagined only in her dreams: "There will be no interior walls. I don't want any barriers to bump into and have to repair. There will be three bedrooms so my brother, Billy, who also has Friedreich's ataxia, can stay with us when he visits. Now, he has to stay in a hotel, and very few are accessible. With a third bedroom, my next foster child can be a little girl. With two bedrooms, I can only have boys," she explained.
"If it happens," whispers Monser, "I'll be in tears. I don't want to get to the point that I actually believe it yet. I have been disappointed in the past. But, when the day comes, I just won't have words to express my happiness."
FOR INFORMATION:
The Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties is based at
721 Dresher Rd., in Horsham. To learn more about its Charitable Foundation, or to participate, call 215-657-1300. For Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, call 610-278-7710.
Renee Danielle, her daughter Chelsea Purcell and Joe Gartner, HBA president, in front of Purcell's new accessible suite.
Chelsea Purcell and Joe Gartner, HBA president, share a few moments in her accessible suite, recently added to her Ottsville, Penn., home with help from the HBA Charitable Foundation.