Donations will make homecoming a reality for injured Delmar man
Lisa DeStaso-Jones doesn’t have unreasonable desires. She just wants her husband to come home.
But just a few months ago, that seemed like a scant possibility. In February, Michael Jones suffered a debilitating spinal injury while playing rugby that has left the Delmar man paralyzed. Besides costly medical bills, his young family has had to contend with the fact it would cost a small fortune to overhaul their home to meet his needs.
Michael had one request: ‘I want to come home.’ Not to Delmar, to our home said DeStaso-Jones.
Jones is nearly there. Having made advances far beyond what doctors originally said was possible, he’s now living at a Delmar nursing home just miles from the family’s 1920s bungalow. But the more than $150,000 price tag of the addition that that house needs was beyond what even a second mortgage could cover.
But there is hope in sight for the Jones family. Work is already underway on an addition to their home that will include all the elements Michael needs, made possible by the generosity of local businesses.
Heading up the project is Keystone Builders of Delmar. When owner Steve Bolduc heard of plans to build the addition, he didn’t hesitate to extend the services of his company gratis.
`It’s just something I felt compelled to do,` Bolduc said. `This community has been good to me…and it’s nice to be able to give back a little bit here.`
Katrina Bolen, neighbor to the Jones family, began trying to put together an effort to build the addition after estimates for the structure came back. It didn’t take long for her to find companies willing to donate supplies and labor at-cost or for free.
`It was very quick,` she said of the response. `Some people were on board with just a phone call.`
Since starting on July 1, Keystone has already handled the excavation and foundation work, put up a frame and started roofing. Lumber has been donated by Curtis Lumber and 84 Lumber, concrete by Clemente Latham Concrete and Bonded Concrete. Andersen Windows and Pella Windows and Doors have made donations, and Barrier Free Systems supplied the equipment to make the home handicapped accessible at no cost.
There are numerous other donors who made contributions big and small to the addition, which is slowly taking shape.
Even the neighbors are helping by letting vehicles onto their property when needed, said Bolduc.
`A lot of people are stepping up to the plate here and doing whatever they can,` he said.
When finished, the home will have an addition with a handicap-accessible bedroom, washroom and sitting room, as well as an accessible deck and covered car port. The kitchen will also be modified so Jones’ wheelchair can move through it.
It’s hard to put a finish date on the home, in part because not all the needed parts are lined up yet. Bolen said she’s still trying to find an appropriate heating and cooling system that Jones needs because his body can no longer properly regulate its temperature.
Jones has been in the hospital or nursing home ever since his injury, which occurred in Florida. DeStaso-Jones spent months traveling to a New Jersey hospital with her 2-year-old daughter, Liliana. She’s hoping to return to her job as a Colonie teacher soon.
While their lives have been changed forever, what has made it possible to continue forward has been her husband’s strength and the generosity of friends, neighbors and strangers, DeStaso-Jones said.
`I did not expect nearly as much as the kind of support we’re receiving,` she said. `We’re so grateful.`
Anyone interested in making a donation to the home renovations cause can contact Bolen at 330-1703. Curtis Lumber in Delmar is also accepting donations.
Contributions may also be made to the Mike Jones Supplemental Needs Trust ` which will help pay for present and future medical expenses ` by visiting
www.michaeljonestrust.org.
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