Beautiful Humans In Action (GBE-R #5--Beauty)

We didn't really know each other. 

We weren't even Facebook friends...not really...more like vague Facebook acquaintances.

I'd started following his Facebook after seeing an article about him online--a local "celebrity" of sorts who had a reputation for interesting and inspiring posts. Someone who not only talked about being involved in community, but also actively gave his time and energy to local causes. 

We'd never really interacted with each other. A like here...a share there. The way life online often goes.

In 2021, Mathias, Jeffrey, and I were living in Ronald McDonald House. When Mathias lost the ability to walk, we couldn't go home. We lived in a small apartment on the second floor with about twenty-five stairs. We couldn't carry our teenager into the apartment, and he was far too weak at that time to "bump" up the stairs on his own. We needed a new place to live and fast.

That journey was not easy.

A three-bedroom that was wheelchair accessible AND allowed us to keep our 85-pound husky/lab--plus our tiny cat--that would also be in our price range? That was a tall order indeed!

Brian, the man mentioned above, had reached out to me previously--just to let me know that people were rooting for us and were invested in seeing Mathias beat his illness. This time, since he was a realtor, he offered to help us try to find a new home.

I actually found a place first, but it had one small problem. 

Stairs. 

Not a lot of them, but Mathias wasn't strong enough to handle even a small set of stairs yet.

I'll just get a ramp. It can't be that difficult. Right?

It certainly felt like it was. All the i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed. All the paperwork. Red tape. It was incredibly overwhelming.

I reached out to Brian and asked if he knew anything about wheelchair ramps. He didn't but told me he'd do some research.

Then, he said "I'd like you to let me handle this."

I did not know this man. 

I am not used to trusting others. 

We were accustomed to handling our problems on our own.

This was such a hard ask. But I did it.

I let go and hoped for the best.

I don't even know what exactly he did behind the scenes. I'm sure it was more than I'll ever really comprehend.

 I just know that the result was one of the most beautiful experiences of our lives.

He brought people together. 

People who donated their time, energy, skills, and money to build Mathias a ramp.

On what I believe was one of the hottest, most humid days of that summer, a community of strangers came together at a humble trailer in Selkirk, NY to make it possible for Mathias to enter his new home.

We hadn't been "home" in almost a year. They made it possible for us to be together as a family again.

These kind, selfless, people coming together to help a family they didn't know. 

Because it would change our lives forever...because it felt like the right thing to do...

I can't think of anything more beautiful than that.

(But, yeah, the ramp is pretty spiffy too...)

Click here to see these beautiful humans in action!

Ronald McDonald House is an amazing place. They gave us shelter, food, and community until we found the place that we now call home.  They help so many families of sick children every year. If you are friends with me on Facebook and are able, please consider donating to my birthday fundraiser for this beautiful charity. Thank you!!!

Donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities



Comments

  1. BethSeptember 17, 2023 at 12:23 PM

    Right here: "Then, he said "I'd like you to let me handle this."" is where I teared up. I remember when all this was happening. It really was beautiful, and sometimes those moments of seeing the very best in humanity lifts and carries us more than the givers could possibly know. Bless them all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Astessame (Stephanie)September 17, 2023 at 1:31 PM

      Bless them all indeed. Whenever I'm standing on the ramp, I can't help but think of how we got here. It restored my faith in people for sure.

      Delete
  2. AliciaoftheGBESeptember 17, 2023 at 2:00 PM

    Oh! That was wonderful! And it really does mean a lot to have organizations or any kind of group, really, that will come in and do these things. I should know: having ALS and needing to move back in to my mom's house, a quick ramp was needed at her house for me to get out on once I got in there initially. It's so nice to see the side of humanity that's good and helpful and selfless, just helping someone in need. I'm so glad you got what you needed the way you did. That's the way it was meant to happen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Astessame (Stephanie)September 17, 2023 at 3:02 PM

      It was truly wonderful. They way everyone worked together was just amazing!

      Delete
  3. NiceInOhioSeptember 19, 2023 at 4:16 PM

    Wow! That is amazing!

    ReplyDelete

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