Max
09-28-2003, 09:50 AM
Local Man Receives Random Acts Of Kindness
BY KIM ACHILLES, Staff Writer
ST. JOHNSBURY, VT - TJ Howard says he's not going to be confined to a wheelchair forever, but for now, it's good to be getting a little help from his friends.
Howard, 35, of St. Johnsbury, was paralyzed from the chest down after a snowmobile accident in January where he broke several ribs, punctured a lung, broke vertebrae in his neck and suffered a spinal cord injury.
Howard spent two weeks in the hospital and 21/2 months in a rehabilitation center.
According to Howard's father, Terry, he's had a hard time getting help from social agencies. One told him there was a two-year wait to get money to make his Route 2B trailer handicapped-accessible including a ramp and shower accessibility.
TJ said it's frustrating to be looking for help and not finding it when he wants to be working and self-sufficient. Howard is a nine-year military veteran, spending eight years in the Navy and a year in the National Guard.
"I got no qualms about it," he said. "I didn't live my life sitting on my butt. I'm just looking for some help."
So Howard's friends and family have taken matters into their own hands, determining to build the man, and his son, a fully accessible house in as short a time as possible. Howard has full custody and cares for his 5-year-old son, Tyler.
In order to help, Howard's parents also put upwards of $16,000 to retrofit a minivan with a wheelchair lift and hand controls. According to Rachel Howard, TJ's stepmother, the van was an important piece in his independence, allowing him to get out of the house as well as take his son to school every day.
"He has such a positive attitude," she said. "He cares for his son. His whole life is around his son."
Howard's new home is one level and will feature ramps, wheelchair-accessible counters, cupboards and bathroom facilities and radiant heat floors. The foundation for the building was poured two weeks ago. Wallboard installation is expected to be finished any day.
All the work is being done by volunteers and many of the materials including heating and siding were donated. To use commercial builders, building the home would cost about $75,000 to $80,000.
Terry Howard, who at one time was a local contractor, said it was great when he called old friends who immediately joined up and brought along their friends and children to help.
Terry Howard, who lives in Florida, came up to oversee the construction. He brought with him a friend who volunteered to oversee the framing of the walls.
A week ago, there were between 25 and 30 volunteers helping with the home, Terry Howard said.
"It makes you feel good about people because it doesn't happen often enough," Rachel Howard said.
The Caledonian-Record is a daily newspaper serving Northern Vermont and Northern New Hampshire. Visit our website updated daily at www.caledonianrecord.com (http://www.caledonianrecord.com)
http://www.caledonianrecord.com/pages/local_news/story/77c1d7150
BY KIM ACHILLES, Staff Writer
ST. JOHNSBURY, VT - TJ Howard says he's not going to be confined to a wheelchair forever, but for now, it's good to be getting a little help from his friends.
Howard, 35, of St. Johnsbury, was paralyzed from the chest down after a snowmobile accident in January where he broke several ribs, punctured a lung, broke vertebrae in his neck and suffered a spinal cord injury.
Howard spent two weeks in the hospital and 21/2 months in a rehabilitation center.
According to Howard's father, Terry, he's had a hard time getting help from social agencies. One told him there was a two-year wait to get money to make his Route 2B trailer handicapped-accessible including a ramp and shower accessibility.
TJ said it's frustrating to be looking for help and not finding it when he wants to be working and self-sufficient. Howard is a nine-year military veteran, spending eight years in the Navy and a year in the National Guard.
"I got no qualms about it," he said. "I didn't live my life sitting on my butt. I'm just looking for some help."
So Howard's friends and family have taken matters into their own hands, determining to build the man, and his son, a fully accessible house in as short a time as possible. Howard has full custody and cares for his 5-year-old son, Tyler.
In order to help, Howard's parents also put upwards of $16,000 to retrofit a minivan with a wheelchair lift and hand controls. According to Rachel Howard, TJ's stepmother, the van was an important piece in his independence, allowing him to get out of the house as well as take his son to school every day.
"He has such a positive attitude," she said. "He cares for his son. His whole life is around his son."
Howard's new home is one level and will feature ramps, wheelchair-accessible counters, cupboards and bathroom facilities and radiant heat floors. The foundation for the building was poured two weeks ago. Wallboard installation is expected to be finished any day.
All the work is being done by volunteers and many of the materials including heating and siding were donated. To use commercial builders, building the home would cost about $75,000 to $80,000.
Terry Howard, who at one time was a local contractor, said it was great when he called old friends who immediately joined up and brought along their friends and children to help.
Terry Howard, who lives in Florida, came up to oversee the construction. He brought with him a friend who volunteered to oversee the framing of the walls.
A week ago, there were between 25 and 30 volunteers helping with the home, Terry Howard said.
"It makes you feel good about people because it doesn't happen often enough," Rachel Howard said.
The Caledonian-Record is a daily newspaper serving Northern Vermont and Northern New Hampshire. Visit our website updated daily at www.caledonianrecord.com (http://www.caledonianrecord.com)
http://www.caledonianrecord.com/pages/local_news/story/77c1d7150