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'Rebuilding Together' helps make one family's home more handicap-friendly

Rebuilding Together North Central Florida celebrated the completion of a community project in Alachua County to assist a local family with their handicapped son.

The project was dedicated to renovating the family home of Doris Tellado, Jose Jimenez and their two children Alejandro and Gabriel, who relies on a wheelchair for mobility.

RD Bonner, executive director of Rebuilding Together, said the organization focuses on repairing anything keeping a family from being safe or healthy in their home.

The family struggled to provide accessibility needs for their son and through this project those needs were addressed, he said. Tight corners and narrow doorways were widened, Bonner said, helping not only the son but the rest of the family.

Rebuilding Together partnered with Charles Perry Partners, Inc. to work on the project, which took about a year to complete, Bonner said.

A complete addition was built onto the family's house, including a wheelchair-friendly bathroom and wheel tracks throughout the house for wheelchair accessibility.

“Through Charles Perry they were able to install a track system that has totally changed the lives of this family,” Bonner said. “Gabriel can now get everywhere he needs to be safely, and we just feel great about that.”

Bonner said the project is part of a year-round effort to fill the need for home repair in North Central Florida, including several projects that are lined up for April. Community residents wanting to get involved are encouraged to visit Rebuilding Together’s website.

Rebekah Geier edited this story online.

Heather is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.