Kenneth Robinson wasn’t sure how to do it.

His wife Merry, who already had a difficult time walking and was often in a wheelchair, had to have foot surgery. The problem was the steps in front of their house, which she couldn’t walk up and Kenneth couldn’t help her.

What they needed was a wheelchair ramp. Kenneth said he couldn’t find anyone to help until he asked at Clark County Community Services one day.

“They built a ramp for us, bless their hearts,” Kenneth said recently. “We were desperate.”

As part of the same project, volunteers widened the door to the bathroom in their Maryland Avenue home, again to give them better access. 

“Now I can get her in the house by myself,” Kenneth said.

The project was paid through CCCS’ You Can Help fund, CCCS Executive Director Debbie Fatkin said, which is presently running low.

CCCS will receive a referral of a family with needs for a project. Through the fund’s history, Fatkin said it has been used for wheelchair ramps, medical expenses, furnace repairs among other projects. 

There is more work to be done at the Robinsons’ home, she said and is seeking public help to raise funds. The next item would be renovating the bathroom and possibly installing a more accessible bathtub. The ramp alone cost $231, she said, after a discount on the lumber and free labor from a volunteer.

To contribute, contact CCCS at 744-5034.