Community Comes Together to make Miracle Dream Possible for Area Family

MDFF's first Miracle Dreams for Family project restores hope and home in Indianapolis

 

April 28, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS —You couldn't pick a family more deserving of a miracle than the Johnson-Williams family. They've seen more than their share of tragedy and struggle. And, in spite of it, they keep fighting.

When their family home on Indianapolis' south side developed costly problems last year with shifting walls, rotting floorboards, and cracks several inches wide in spots, Judith Williams did the best she could on her fixed income.

The single mother of two sons with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy even had to resort to stuffing towels in the cracks to keep the winter chill out. Still her electric bills skyrocketed to more than $500 a month. And now, with the heat of summer looming, something had to be done.

That's where the community is making a difference. Led by the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation (MDFF), a team of general contractors, laborers, and vendors will begin a blitz build to shore up the home and make it more comfortable and safe for Adriane, 18, and Phillip, 15, both students at Emmanuel High School.

The seven-day home repair blitz beginning Thursday, April 28, is MDFF's first Miracle Dreams for Families project, a special program to meet the larger ticket needs of the Foundation's clientele.

“We've known and been a part of the Johnson-Williams family for so long,” says Judith Duncan, president of MDFF. “They're such great people that we knew it wasn't a question of if we were going to make this happen. It was just an issue of how we were going to make it work.”

The agency worked tirelessly to enlist the help of pros like Jason Oskay, general contractor and owner of Oskay Enterprises. He'll lead a small team of laborers to shore up the foundation, replace any rotting wood, install a door in the boys bedroom for easy exit in case of an emergency, replace siding and soffits, repair or replace gutters, install more energy efficient windows, and make the home more handicap accessible.

Better still, a good portion of Oskay's time has been donated.

“It's just the right thing to do,” says Oskay. “When you've been given much, I believe it's important to give back.”

Building supply company 84 Lumber is also giving back to the community by way of $4,534 worth of donated lumber, a door, and windows for the project.

“When Jason Oskay brought the project to our attention we knew we needed to get involved,” said Eric Rivers, contractor sales representative for 84 Lumber's Greenwood store. “You just can't work in a community like ours and not return some of the support you've been given.”

Other companies donating in-kind services include Republic Waste Services of Indiana and Smith Brothers Builders.

Thanks to their generosity, and support from other MDFF donors, the $45,000 project won't cost the family a dime. Medicaid waiver money will later complete work on the home's interior to make it even more accessible for the Johnson boys.

MDFF has aggressive goals for the program and hopes to conduct three to four more Miracle Dreams for Family projects this year. In order to do so, they're raising money through their Web site at www.mdff.org or by mail at 2330 N. Meridian Street , Indianapolis , IN.

“It's tough enough being a single mom,” says Duncan . “But, when your kids require constant care like those with Duchenne MD, its incredible – you can't work full-time or you'd spend all your wages on nursing care and you can't afford major repairs like this. It can be a frustrating way to live. We just hope we can help a bit.”

Judith Williams, the boys' mother, is in awe of the generosity of strangers.

 “This just wouldn't have been possible without MDFF,” she says. “I just don't know what I would have done. It truly is a miracle.”

 

 

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Representatives from 84 Lumber will present a ceremonial check at the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 28 at 2 p.m. at 3334 Laurel Street , Indianapolis .  Media is encouraged to attend.

 

 

 

About the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation®

Established in 1958, the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation® (MDFF) is a national non-profit organization, headquartered in Indianapolis . MDFF provides adaptive equipment and emotional support to individuals and families affected by one of the more than forty neuromuscular diseases. MDFF does not conduct research and does not hold an annual telethon. MDFF strongly believes it is extremely important that each of its clients lives an independent and productive life each day. Having the proper adaptive equipment and emotional support available ensures that can happen for the families served by MDFF. For more information, please contact MDFF at (317) 923-MDFF or visit www. mdff .org.