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York County teen gains mobility for first time inside new home

A single York County mother and her wheelchair-bound daughter will soon experience something many of us take for granted. Abby Sheely and her 13-year-old daught...
mobility

A single York County mother and her wheelchair-bound daughter will soon experience something many of us take for granted.

Abby Sheely and her 13-year-old daughter, Mekayla, say their current living space doesn't suit them.
Abby says, "I have a lot of back problems, especially now she's getting bigger and she's almost as tall as I am, so carrying her around can physically be draining."

Mekayla has Cerebral Palsy. In March, the Sheely's applied for York Habitat for Humanity's Home Ownership Program. They waited two weeks for an answer.

Then Abby says, "I was so excited to tell her (Mekayla), she got off the bus that day and she was just so excited once I told her the news."

Habitat broke ground on this handicap accessible 3-bedroom home, and next week, the Sheely's are homeward bound.

Abby says, "The shower is completely handicap accessible so I can put her in the special bath seat and not have to pick her up and push her over a lip of a normal bath tub."

Debbie Krout-Althoff is the Executive Director of York Habitat. She says, "With working with these families you see truly what matters and how they work to be able to achieve their dream and provide for their families. It's so inspirational and rewarding."

Abby says, "She is getting older and wants to be more independent so having the freedom of getting around herself is definitely something we're both looking forward to."

Often we take advantage of the ability to step outside into our own backyard. Before Mekayla wasn't able to do that, now she can with her new handicap accessible ramp.

Abby says, "It will make her more independent, which she deserves to have."

If you would like to help the Sheely's celebrate their move and Habitat's 114th home, you're invited to attend a dedication ceremony on Saturday, October 4th at 10:00 AM at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, in Hanover.

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