Texas Ramp Project Looks to Help the Handicapped – KIDY San Angelo (video)

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KIDY San Angelo

Posted: Apr 10, 2015 6:06 PM CDT
Updated: Apr 13, 2015 9:30 AM CDT
By Jerry Huerta

ABILENE, TX — Nearly one hundred people in Abilene alone are in need of special ramps to help them get from point a to point b.  KXVA’s Jerry Huerta sat down with a local organization to see how they’re changing all that — one ramp at a time.

Members of the Texas Ramp Project usually meet at a ramp site after a big breakfast. It usually takes them two days to put together a ramp. The group is made up of retirees who have decided to make a difference.

“He’s having a harder time moving around.” says Kenneth Gann, who is a family friend of the Hightowers. “You know she don’t she ain’t as active as she was. He’s more in pain and having a hard time walking around.”

Kenneth Gann is a family friend of John Hightower and his wife. He says the couple has to use walkers to get around. This has made it harder because all they have are these steps.

“About five or six years ago, we met as a group looking for a community service project we can do together.” says Kelly Jones, who is the Abilene area coordinator for the Texas Ramp Project. “Among all of our other projects we do. And we knew of this Texas ranch project and decided this is what we wanted to do.”

Kelly Jones is the area coordinator at the Texas Ramp Project. The group spent yesterday putting together the modules for the ramp. With every cut of wood, every new nail. They are one step closer to finishing. Jones says they try to do at least two ramps per month.

“It would make it a lot easier.” says Gann. “They won’t have to worry about walking down the steps and tripping over their feet. It’s getting where he has to use his cane more and more so it would make it a lot easier. Without anything being in the way.”

Jones says there are 80 people waiting for ramps to be installed. The group understands the need is there. But they are trying to change that: one ramp at a time.

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