Repair clients Maria and Enrique are two of the beneficiaries of this year’s Rampathon, a partnership with Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. Through the program, Master Builders donates $5,000 in materials, and Habitat SKKC donates labor to build or repair ADA ramps across King County.
The couple, their two adult children, and Enrique’s sister live in a quiet cul-de-sac in Kent where neighbors look out for each other. Maria and Enrique left their home country of the Philippines more than a quarter of a century ago and haven’t returned in 20 years. One thing they don’t miss about the Philippines is the heat and humidity; the cooler climate is their favorite part about living in the Pacific Northwest.
Maria works for an insurance company. After the pandemic, staff were offered the opportunity to work from home, and it suited her lifestyle well. Enrique is disabled and working from home gives Maria the time and flexibility to care for him throughout the day. She works the early shift and finishes work in the afternoon, which makes it easier to take Enrique to the doctor, physical therapy, and other appointments. One day while running an errand at a wheelchair accessories store in Renton, Maria saw a promotional flyer for Rampathon and decided to apply.
Because Enrique is mostly housebound, ensuring they live in a safe and accessible space is of the utmost importance, which is why finding out they were to be recipients of a new ramp for Enrique’s wheelchair was so meaningful. “I know you get so many applications. I really am one of the fortunate, the blessed that got picked,” Maria adds.
The project initially focused only on the front entrance, where Habitat SKKC’s Repair Team removed the makeshift ramp Maria and her neighbor had installed and put in a new, wider ramp. Maria was pleasantly surprised to find out that work could extend to the backdoor, where Enrique hadn’t been able to access the patio since needing a wheelchair.
“He used to plant roses in the backyard, so he missed that,” Maria explains. Now, with the new ramp installed, Enrique once again has better access to their backyard and the peace that comes with spending time outside.
With improved access to their home, the couple has an improved outlook on their “forever home.”
Maria says, “It’s a sanctuary. I’m very proud this is what people see. I mean, it’s not only a place to sleep in or whatnot. This is where we’re going to grow old.”