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Tonya Papanikolas Reporting Dozens of Lehi residents are pitching in to help a woman with MS who has experienced months of heartache and upheaval. Right now the woman is at a care center getting rehab for a stroke. By the time she comes home, volunteers will have given her home an extreme make-over.
Workers are busy at the home of Marge Goodwin. They're laying linoleum floors, painting, and making a lot of changes.
Linda Turner, Project Organizer: "This is her kitchen. When I saw this two weeks ago, there were holes in the wall up there, all on the edge. The ceiling was kind of a funny yellow."
About a year and a half ago, someone close to Marge tried to renovate her home, but after ripping out flooring, cabinets and sinks, they were never replaced. So Marge has been living in chaos.
Marge Goodwin, Home Being Fixed Up: "You would have had to have seen it to believe it. Yeah, it was awful."
To make matters worse, Marge has MS. Her home wasn't fitted for her wheelchair. This last August, she had a stroke and MS episode which put her in the hospital.
Chuck Lovelady, Marge's Pastor: "There's been a big push trying to get the place fixed up well enough so that Marge can come home and have the place much more friendly for her."
A lot of the doorways in Marge's home were so narrow she had a hard time entering. You can see from marks on the walls, she had a hard time getting her wheelchair into the room.
Marge also had a small shower, which she could never use.
Linda Turner: "This is where she bathed - in this sink right here. She would just get a cloth and clean herself."
Now volunteers from the community are changing these problems. They're widening doors and adding bathroom grab bars to hold onto. Out back, they will make a concrete pathway so Marge can actually go outside with her wheelchair. Some of these volunteers are friends, and some don't even know Marge.
Jerry James, Friend: "Just felt like I needed to get involved and help her in a way she hadn't gotten help in the past few years."
Chuck Lovelady: "She's helped out a lot of people, so it's neat to see a lot of this stuff come back."
Marge has seen bits and pieces of the work. She's been overwhelmed.
Marge Goodwin: "It is the most wonderful, wonderful event in my entire life. Thank you and may God bless each and every one of you."
Marge calls the home her miracle and can't wait to return.
If you are interested in donating or volunteering, call Linda Turner at 768-1102.
