Lee BIA Builders Care recently provided an accessible bathroom for a Lehigh Acres family to enhance the health and safety of their disabled child.
12-year-old Yael Arias began his life under difficult circumstances. He struggled breathing after birth and lived in intensive care for two weeks. Yael’s health recovered and he was developing normally for about two years. Unfortunately, he returned to the hospital after having a dangerously high fever. Yael was eventually diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Doctors also believed that he would not live past the age of seven without a bone marrow transplant. Amazingly, Yael’s older brother was a match and gladly became the donor. The procedure kept Yael in the hospital for two years. His hardships continue to this day. He is cognitively challenged, nonverbal and unable to perform daily activities without assistance.
The bathroom in the home was not accessible and his parents had to lift him to get in and out of the bathtub. As Yael continues to grow, it had become increasingly challenging for his parents to get him in and out of the tub safely. The family was in need of a roll-in shower to make bathing safer for all. Unfortunately, the family’s income would not allow them to afford any type of modifications.
After learning about the family, Beattie Development and partners quickly coordinated efforts to provide an accessible bathroom for Yael. By removing the existing bathtub and replacing it with an accessible roll-in shower, Yael can now bathe more safely and comfortably. These accommodations are a blessing and will significantly improve the health, safety and well-being for the entire Arias Family.
Additional project partners included: Mike Carroll Services LLC, Bergau Plumbing, PCC Tile, Moen Inc. and Cougar Services. All renovations performed were at no cost to the family thanks to the generosity of these companies.
Special thanks to our generous project partners for making it possible!
**Mike Carroll Services LLC**
Special thanks to our partners at Wheelchairs 4 Kids for referring this family!
About Lee BIA Builders Care
Lee BIA Builders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (Lee BIA). The mission of Lee BIA Builders Care is to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who cannot obtain repairs through traditional means. Lee BIA Builders Care offers a full range of emergency construction services to improve the safety and health for seniors and individuals with disabilities in need by enlisting the expertise and donated services and material of Lee BIA Members, contractors, sub-contractors and businesses. To date, Lee BIA Builders Care has put more than $4.5 million in construction services back into the community at no cost to homeowners in need. Builders Care is funded through financial donations, grants, and donated services and materials to provide emergency construction services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County. Builders Care and the Lee BIA are headquartered at 6835 International Center Blvd. #4 in Fort Myers. The Lee Building Industry Association (www.BIA.net) is a 64-year-old association affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and Florida Home Builders Association that serves to promote, protect and preserve homeownership, private property rights and affordable housing by advocating for balanced laws, regulation and fees through member education and outreach. Donations can be made online at www.LeeBuildersCare.org. More information is available by calling 239-938-0056. Follow Builders Care at Facebook.com/LeeBuildersCare.
