A Recap of Our 2015 andn 2016 Projects

This is a recap of Ramp Up Marathon County's projects, from oldest to newest. We are pleased to have helped so many individuals and families improve their ability to safely enter and exit their homes. A ramp or specialized stairs allows an individual with mobility issues to remain involved in their community, attend church services, get to doctor's appointments and more, and alleviates some of the stress and strain for their family and other caregivers.

Thanks to our financial donors and volunteers, we look forward to helping more people in 2017.

Best wishes for a beautiful holiday season and a wonderful New Year from Ramp Up Marathon County to you.

Ramp in Wausau.

Low-rise long-tread steps in Wausau.

Wheelchair ramp in Wausau.

 

Wheelchair ramp in Wausau.

Wheelchair ramp in Wausau.

Low-rise long-tread steps in Wausau.

Low-rise long-tread steps Hatley.

Wheelchair ramp Wausau.

Wheelchair ramp Knowlton.

Wheelchair ramp in Wausau.

Wheelchair ramp Mosinee.

Wheelchair ramp Schofield.

Wheelchair ramp Schofield.

Thank You Notes From Ramp Recipients

"To all the wonderful volunteers:

You give so much of yourself in the kindness you show and the lives you touch. That's why you deserve a heartfelt "thank you" and a wish that all the goodness you share comes back to you.
Thank you so  much for all your time and talent to make a wheelchair ramp possible for me!"
Fred M.

 "Now I can sit in my walker outside, get to the doctor and get my blood tested. I couldn't get down the steps before."
Leonard P.

"The ramp is wonderful. I can go down it by myself. On stairs I needed help."
Joyce G.

Ramp Up Marathon County Completes Ramp in Schofield

Ramp Up Marathon County completed it's final ramp of the 2016 summer building season on Friday, October 14. Lois G., of Schofield, has had numerous back issues, including spinal fusions. She delighted to have her ramp, and is looking forward to being able to get out and about more - including visits with her husband at the nursing home where he lives.

Lois's ramp was Ramp Up's sixth project of 2016.

Here are photos of the build, courtesy of Ramp Up volunteers Ray N. and Bill P.

Ramp Up Marathon County volunteers pose on the ramp.

Ramp recipient, Lois G., poses with her walker on her newly completed ramp.

Ramp Up Build in Schofield

Ramp Up Marathon County recently completed work on a wheelchair ramp in Schofield. The resident has multiple health issues and uses an electric wheelchair. without a ramp, getting into and out of the home was a major obstacle.

Here are a few photos (courtesy of Ramp Up Marathon County volunteer and lead construction coordinator Ray Nowaczyk) of the finished project.

Ramp Up Marathon County Volunteer Profile: Richard (Dick) Keding

We are fortunate to have so many wonderful volunteers who help Ramp Up Marathon County fulfill its mission. We will, from time to time, feature profiles of individual volunteers on this blog. Here, to start us off, is a profile of volunteer Richard (Dick) Keding.

Dick first heard about volunteer opportunities with Ramp Up Marathon County through a United Way information meeting. He began volunteering for Ramp Up in 2015 because he likes to build things and help others.

Dick Keding at a Ramp Up Marathon County build. Spring 2016

When helping on a ramp building project, Dick does whatever is asked of him, from moving materials to cutting boards to assembling the ramps. He has also served as the lead person on a recent ramp build and has built one small ramp by himself.

Dick has a strong desire to help others.

"I like to see people's joy and how grateful they are when we get their ramp built for them," Dick recently stated. "I also like to build, and I like the group of people that volunteer for Ramp Up Marathon County. Everyone is very friendly and willing to help each other."

There are a variety of skills levels among the volunteers. Sometimes Dick can teach others, and other times he learns from them. Either way, the group continues to bond, and ramps get built.

People who receive a ramp are very grateful for the new freedom it gives them. And Dick likes the way the ramp makes life easier for the person in need of assistance - whether they use a wheelchair or walker - and makes life easier for their caregivers and family as well. "It has to be a load off everyone's minds," he said. "It's a great feeling and makes me proud to be able to help folks stay in their homes longer and make it easier to get out and about."

Ramp Up stretches every donated dollar by carefully planning and purchasing materials for projects. The group also uses good materials from reclaimed ramps when possible. (Reclaimed ramps are simply residential ramps that are no longer used and donated to the organization.)

In addition to his Ramp Up Marathon County, Dick also volunteers for Blessings in a Backpack. Ramp Up projects are primarily in the summer, and Blessings activity is during the school year, so the two together provide year-round volunteer opportunities.

"If you want to make folks happy and like to be around those that want to help others, then this is a great volunteer opportunity," Dick said. "You don't have to be a carpenter or know about construction. You just need to want to help others and be willing to learn. We will put you to work."

If you are interested in volunteering for Ramp Up Marathon County or would just like more information, contact Ramp Up Marathon County Volunteer Coordinator, John Ohnstad, at 715-544-4346. 

Ramp Up Completes Ramp in Mosinee

We completed yet another ramp for the 2016 summer building season. This one is in Mosinee. Following are photos of the build. Thanks to all who helped, and thanks to John O. and Ray N. for the photos.

  Congratulations! We  hope this ramp makes your life a little easier.

A Ramp for Fred

Fred Maly has diabetes and difficulty getting around. Climbing the stairs to the entrance of his home became difficult. His wife Lorraine was there to help him, but as his health declined, difficult became nearly impossible. Lorraine could no longer get Fred safely in and out of the house on her own. They needed a ramp.

With all of their medical bills, money was tight, so in February of 2016 Lorraine and Fred’s daughter began searching for help. She learned of Ramp Up Marathon County, a program of Midstate Independent Living Consultants, Inc. (MILC). Ramp Up raises funds for materials and donates skilled volunteer time to design and build wheelchair ramps and specialized stairs for low income Marathon County residents who are not already being served by long term care programs. Referrals come through MILC and the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin (ADRC-CW)

The Maly family contacted the ADRC-CW and connected with Kathy, a resource specialist. Kathy met with Fred and Lorraine. They talked about their situation and needs. Kathy told them about Ramp Up Marathon County and together they filled out the application. Kathy put the Maly’s in touch with Nancy Keller from MILC and Nancy got Lorraine and Fred set up with a temporary ramp until a permanent situation could be found.

“Nancy and Kathy were just great to work with,” said Lorraine. “They were so very nice.”

The Maly’s met the Ramp Up eligibility requirements, the Ramp Up leadership team determined that the ramp specs were within a scope the group could work with, and the application was approved.

After site surveys Ramp Up volunteers Dick Lehmann and Ben Preisig designed the ramp and received approval from the local building inspector. Materials were ordered, a construction schedule was set and volunteers (Dan Bowen, Dick Keding, Tom Kelly, Ray Nowaczyk, John Ohnstad, Bill Pogge and David A. Seiser) committed their time to the build. By mid-June, the Maly’s had a sturdy wheelchair ramp ready for use.

Neither Medicare nor most Medicaid programs cover the cost of building a ramp which can amount to several thousand dollars. Yet sometimes the lack of a ramp puts enormous strain on caregivers, limits an individual’s ability to get to appointments, often forcing them to live homebound or move from their homes to a care facility, costing significantly more over time than the one time cost of a ramp.

Given the size of the ramp and the cost of materials, it would likely have cost the Maly family updwards of $4,000 if they’d paid a contractor to build it. Because they qualified for Ramp Up, it didn’t cost them a penny.

“I don’t know what we would have done without Ramp Up,” Lorraine said. “You have Medicare and supplement insurance, but there are still a lot of bills.  We’re just thankful.”

Now Fred is able to go to his medical appointments and more. He likes to go with Lorraine on errands. He may wait in the car, but just getting out of the house and going for a ride lifts his spirit. And Lorraine feels better too, not leaving him alone at home all the time.

“We are just so grateful,” says Lorraine. “I would like to say a big thank you to those who donated funds, time and skills. Everybody was kind and very good.”

For more information about Ramp Up Marathon County, call the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin 1-888-486-8545 or Midstate Independent Living Consultants, Inc. 800-382-8484 ext 211, or go to www.rampupmc.org.