Featured in the photo above, are Council on Aging CHORE volunteers installing the railing for the Chatterton ramp.
Barnabas Center has partnered with the Council on Aging (COA) to sponsor the building of a wheelchair ramp for Mary Chatterton, a 91-year-old disabled woman who had serious falls related to using the stairs in front of her home.
In 2011, Roland Knight, an active member of the Nassau community, started a program to build wheelchair ramps for senior citizens and disabled adults. Roland Knight passed away in 2019, but his legacy lives on as COA volunteers continue to serve our neighbors through this effort.
Recently, the COA provided a donated wheelchair so Mary Chatterton can move around her home. The front steps of her home are brick and circular, making any attempt of installing a railing difficult. She has fallen down her front door brick steps three times, one time resulting in a visit to the emergency room.
Mary lives with her son, Sean Chatterton and daughter-in-law who provide the necessary care & supervision she needs. Sean said that to get Mary in and out their house, he must carry her up and down the stairs. According to Sean, this ramp was much needed.
Kent Andres, COA CHORE volunteer, was determined to provide a wheelchair ramp for Mary. On March 16th, he and seven other CHORE volunteers got together and put the project in motion. Now, with the help of COA CHORE volunteers and Barnabas’ sponsorship, Mary has access to a ramp.
“I am so thankful to have access to this wheelchair ramp, so that I can enter my home safely!” Said Mary.
Barnabas is thankful to the Council on Aging and the legacy of Roland Knight for continuing this important effort.
