Gift of independence

By John Howell
Posted 1/24/17

Zach was ready to do wheelies in the bathroom.

That wasn’t an option for the boy who is suffering from the rare genetic childhood disease ataxia-telangiectasia until now. If fact, the bathroom …

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Gift of independence

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Zach was ready to do wheelies in the bathroom.

That wasn’t an option for the boy who is suffering from the rare genetic childhood disease ataxia-telangiectasia until now. If fact, the bathroom was so confined that he had trouble using it and there was no way for him to bathe without the help of his father or mother, Bob and Deborah McMillan. And Zach is getting bigger and those baths are tougher.

Bob McMillan said they knew they would need to remodel if they were going to help Zach, who was losing more of his motor skills. The disease (AT) is progressive and combines some of the worst symptoms of cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, cancer and immune deficiencies. Bob talked to several contractors and obtained a $14,000 estimate to expand one of two bathrooms in the Harrison Avenue house. The estimate was just for the basics. It was not something the McMillans could afford. Bob works a second shift job. Deborah has a third shift job that enables the couple to provide all-day coverage for Zach.

A larger bathroom with a walk-in shower looked to be out of the question. That was until the community at St. Peter Church and the West Bay and Northern Rhode Island Chapter of Habitat Humanity became involved.

Initially, explains Margaret Andreozzi, who runs the church summer vacation Bible school, the plan was to have a fun fundraiser to help people beyond Warwick as part of the Connecting Kids to Justice mission. Andreozzi asked campers to bring in their dimes to pitch into Coke bottles. Her goal was to raise $500. Then, knowing what Zach’s family was going through, she was inspired to help them. The cause snowballed and the power of dimes was multiplied many times over, raising $8,000.

Suddenly, the renovations needed to help the McMillan family seemed within reach. Andreozzi thought of Habitat and teamed up with parishioner Kenneth Baumgartel, who has retired as an engineer for Gillette. He assumed the role of clerk of the works and was such a frequent visitor to the McMillan home that he lets himself in and out on his own. The pair talked with Trish Newman, president of the Habitat chapter, who embraced the project. Everything looked like it was on the tracks to giving Zach the independence he so cherishes.

Then this past summer, Newman died suddenly, and it seemed the project was shelved. Everything was on hold. Gary LeFrancois, who took over the reins of the Habitat chapter, liked what he saw. He said the renovations were a perfect “brush with kindness” (BWK) project. These are smaller projects than home building, which Habitat usually is involved with.

“This is one of those special ones,” LeFrancois said Saturday, taking a break from painting. He called the work at the McMillans’ “personal” and one of those where everyone involved with it has heart. The Habitat team includes Earl Marsh, Rich Trabing, Kelly McCallister, Rich Masnyk, Jim Rezendes and Ed Osediacz.

The renovations that included not only the bathroom but also Zach’s adjoining room and a room for his older brother, Shawn, were close to being completed Saturday. Zach spun around in the bathroom, pointing out with pride he had selected the blue paint for its walls and the “pickle green” for his room.

“I feel like Ken is part of the family,” said Deborah.

Andreozzi said it was “the grace of God” that brought everything together. She said the project became a personal goal for Father Roger Gagne, pastor of St. Peter Church. Baumgartel said it couldn’t have been accomplished without the help of so many. In addition to Habitat, he named Jessica Volaitis at Waste Management, Jim Verducci at Lowe’s Home Center, Kevin and Brad Robert at A.H. Robert Plumbing and Heating, Joe Izzo at Izzo Electric and Son and Jim Stevens at F.W. Webb Company. His list also includes John Boynton at Best Title, Buddy McKenna at the Paint Shoppes, Kevin Vanavery at Builders Surplus and Jonathan Ferreira at Dunkin Donuts.

Zach’s smiles said it best. As the Habitat crew worked on painting Shawn’s room and preparing to put in the flooring, Zach was happy turning turns in the bathroom. He was enjoying his independence.

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