Wheel chair ramp

I just got back from my mission trip to Preston county West Virginia this afternoon. I was unable to post on my blog, but the link that was in my last post was updated fairly regularly. The last of the pictures should get uploaded this weekend, so check it out.

I ran a small crew that consisted of three adults and six teens. Our project was to build a 40′ long wheel chair ramp for the home owner’s Charles and Sandy. We usually supply all the materials and labor on these trips, but Charles insisted on paying for all of the materials. My design for this ramp is also in my last post. Everything went nearly as planned. We ran into a few problems with large rocks getting in the way of our hole digging, but the teens in my group kept at it until all the holes were dug. Most of them, including myself got a few blisters, but not one of them complained.

We had rain every single day that we worked. Day one, we got the holes dug and the posts set. I believe we even managed to attach the two runs of joists along the posts. Day two, we finished the joists and blocking, and got half way through the decking. Day three, we finished the decking, poured the concrete pad, and attached the rails. In case you were wondering how much concrete the kids had to hand mix to do that pad, it was about 1,100 pounds. Six 80 pound bags and twelve 50 pound bags of quickcrete. Day four, we converted the section of railing, that we removed, into a gate, and built a ramp for the front door step. Then on day five, we replaced some rotted boards on the garage door jambs and wrapped them in aluminum so nobody would have to paint them again. My crew worked non-stop the entire week and managed to have some fun while learning a bit of carpentry.

The biggest highlight of the week was when Sandy was able to come out of the house and sit out in the fresh air for the first time in six months. She immediately started calling all of her family and friends to tell them where she was and how happy it made her. Her care-givers were so pleased to be able to take her out of the house. They are already planning to take Sandy shopping next week. Cindy, Sandy’s care-giver was so happy that she made lunch for us twice, and Charlie bought the kids lunch one day as well.

I get to lay around tomorrow, then back to work Monday to relax…