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A family from West Bountiful is getting more than a Thanksgiving dinner today. Neighbors, tradesmen and local businesses are remodeling their house in a big way as a gift.
Steve Dalrymple, 39, was a registered nurse at LDS Hospital, but in 2004, life changed forever. He walked away from his profession never to return again.
Steve was diagnosed with Huntington's disease -- a progressive and terminal neurological disorder that snatches away thinking, judgment, memory, movement and emotional control.
"Sometimes if I start to stand up from somewhere, I sort of lose my balance," Steve said.
Steve is now in the middle stages of the disease. Eventually he'll be in a wheelchair. His wife, Ronda, has gone back to work. The four children have come to the rescue.
But more people are rallying as well. Neighbors and members of the Steve's LDS Ward are remodeling the house, literally rebuilding one whole section so Steve can stay at ground level.
"People, industries, businesses have donated their time and also their materials. Neighborhood people have come from all the different trades and helped put things together," project volunteer Ken Brinkerhoff said.
When this project is finished, Steve and Ronda will have more than just a bedroom; they'll have their own bathroom and large walk-in closet. Then their new family room will be 16-by-25 feet.
"We're just really thankful. Everyone has been just so great, mostly our ward, but we've had other companies helping too. I think it's just been wonderful," Steve said.
"It's been overwhelming. I mean, people are nice to you on a normal everyday basis, but to have so many people so do much. Just some days, you don't feel worthy almost of good friends like that," Rhonda said.
The Dalrymples say it was embarrassing at first to be on the receiving end of so much. But their thank you now, though only two little words, comes in a big, big way.
The project may be finished in time for the Dalrymples to celebrate Christmas in their new addition.
E-mail: eyeates@ksl.com
