Volunteers from a non-profit in California have built a wheelchair ramp for a disabled veteran who has not been able to leave his house in two years.
The non-profit group Veterans of All Wars Riders helped build the ramp for 83-year-old disabled Sacramento veteran Chuck Wood, who served in the Coast Guard from 1956 to 1960, Fox News reported Thursday. The ramp was completed in February.
Wood, who lost his leg due to a blood clot, could not previously leave his house because he would have to descend several steps in his wheelchair to leave his home, Fox News reported. As a result, he was not able to go past the front door for the last two years until the non-profit installed the ramp.
‘It Feels Great’: Volunteers Build Home Ramp For Wheelchair-Bound Veteran Stuck Inside For 2 Years https://t.co/TGpgcm8F6o pic.twitter.com/Hs4u74aAp6
— CBS Sacramento CBS13 (@CBSSacramento) March 1, 2021
“It’s great to go out, get some sun, go check my mail.” Wood told Fox News, saying that his life had been changed by the deed.
The non-profit told Fox News that other organizations had previously turned down Wood’s requests, stating that there were issues with the permitting process with the trailer park and other issues with construction.
Volunteers were able to gather donations from a GoFundMe page set up to cover expenses to build the ramp and relocate the electrical box, Fox News reported. Home Depot also donated supplies for the effort. (RELATED: Paralyzed Man Climbs Skyscraper In A Wheelchair For Charity)
The non-profit also donated a new electric wheelchair to Wood for him to easily access his ramp, CBS13 reported.
“When he came out of the house that day — just the look on his face, smiling from ear to ear — that was all we needed.” VAW Riders president Richard Randall told Fox News.