Guelph high school students build accessible ramp at woman's home
A class of Guelph high school students have built an accessibility ramp at a woman's home after she lost her leg.
Grade 11 students in a construction class at St. James Catholic High School were introduced to the idea of helping out Yvonne MacIsaac when Stephanie Zonneveld, project lead with the Wellington Catholic District School Board, proposed it.
"She’s given so much to our school board, to our community, that it seemed like it was at least worth a try to see if there was some way to give back and support that," said Zonneveld.
Until recently, MacIsaac felt as though she had lost all freedom.
"It looks like we're going to have to do a below-the-knee amputation," MacIsaac said, recalling a conversation she had with her doctor last year. "My husband, he would have to carry me from my bed all the way to my chair that was waiting out here."
Her entire leg was later removed because of complications following her surgery. She also learned that she is not a candidate for prosthetics and may lose her second leg because her diabetes is preventing her body from healing properly.
Yvonne MacIsaac says the new ramp has greatly increased her ability to get around her home. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)
MacIsaac says getting in and out of her home has become increasingly difficult. She says there's barely any room to move while using her electric wheelchair and has been staying in the living room because of her inability to go up stairs.
But when the idea was brought to St. James CHS construction teacher, Jerry Della Savia, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to take skills learned during class and have students apply them in a valuable way in the community.
"To not only learn the skills, but in the end, they knew what the final game was. And that was to help this person gain back some of their independence," said Della Savia.
The students tasked with the project were on board. By the middle of September they began work on it and in just over a month it was complete, with help from Tacoma Engineers Inc. in Guelph.
It took the students just over a month to complete the ramp. (Submitted/Jerry Della Savia)
"It’s a tough thing she had to go through but any way we could help her is good," said Joshua van Milligen, one of the students who worked on the ramp. "I thought it was pretty cool that we got to go outside of the school and we got to learn something new that you wouldn’t learn in a normal day of class," said another student, Talen Brown.
The ramp underwent several inspections, ultimately getting the stamp of approval from City of Guelph staff and most importantly, MacIsaac herself.
"I say it every Saturday out loud 'oh, I'm free!' And I roll down there while my husband and daughters are sitting down there thinking I'm crazy," MacIsaac said, explaining her route from the ramp to the gate.
The students' work has received the stamp of approval from city staff and most importantly, MacIsaac herself.
MacIsaac showed CTV News how easy it is her for her now to get from the backyard to the front, thanks to the newly-built ramp.
"And I'm free! Ta-da," yelled MacIsaac, unlocking the gate.
MacIsaac says the life-changing experience came at a time when everything appeared to be going downhill, but she now feels more prepared to tackle her uphill battle with a little more ease.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help MacIsaac with ongoing medical expenses and renovations that need to be done to her home in order to make it more accessible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.