A few weeks ago, I was approached by a friend to lend a hand in helping a neighbor in Saratoga Springs
do a home make over. As with many things like this, one never knows what they are getting in to,
however, I felt excited about the prospect of helping, and hey, if my friend Liz thought it was a good
thing to do then it must be. So I showed up at the house on a Saturday at the beginning of April and I
was delighted to see at least 20 cars and trucks, and twice as many people roaming around this beautiful
family home in Knoll Spring Park. There were contractors doing millwork and minor construction,
friends on ladders painting trim, more friends painting the walls in every room, others in the garage, the
basement, etc. Oh what a show it was. I kept looking to see if Ty Pennington was going to come out
from around the corner!
So in I went to get my assignment from the Home Make Over leaders, but not before being greeted
by the homeowners themselves. This home is owned by Andrew and Kelly Ragan and their two young
sons. Andrew and Kelly were in the kitchen when I arrived; Kelly standing behind Andrew who is in a
wheelchair. The kids where playing outside with some friends.
Andrew is in the midst of a devastating battle from the terrible debilitating disease known as ALS
(Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS patients are subject to
a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. They
rapidly lose control of these muscles and eventually it leads to death. The number of people that ALS
affects is approximately 5 out of every 100,000 people. It is rare, and there is currently no cure.
However, given the horrible nature of the disease that has changed the course of this All American
Family’s lives, they were remarkably upbeat and positive. And although Andrew cannot speak, he can
communicate using an electronic device which he operates by blinking his eyes. He was noticeably
grateful for what he was witnessing, and the whole experience really turned quite festive. With the
positive energy that was emulating from Kelly and Andrew, it was no wonder that they have touched so
many people in so many ways, and it was no wonder that when their friends Liz and Cindy said, “Let’s do
a Home Make Over for the Ragan’s” so many people showed up!
So there we were, enough people and supplies to repaint the entire house, and to rebuild bathrooms,
and clean and straighten areas of the home that had been neglected due to displaced priorities (all
of which was accomplished by this group). The job was organized and completed successfully in one
Saturday afternoon thanks to the tremendous organization of Cindy and Liz. Of course when I arrived,
they took one look at me and said, “you are clearly not a painter, you take the basement!” I jumped at
the opportunity, and following some reflection, I can’t think of a time that I was so excited to spend an
entire day cleaning out a basement.
With the challenges our world has faced in the last few years, it is easy to get lost in ourselves and our
own little (or big) problems. But just when you think life is tough, remember the Ragan’s. Remember
that they have lost their perfect life to an uncontrollable and devastating disease. Remember the
resources that they cannot spend in painting their own house because of the astronomical medical
expenses that they now incur. And most importantly, remember how much a group of people can touch
one another, by producing an act of kindness such as this Home Make Over “Good Neighbor Style”.
Wouldn’t it be great if this year every neighborhood in the Capital Region assembled a team of people
to go help a family in need in just this way? These actions define our society, and it is a society that we
can all be proud of.
Following the Home Make Over Day, Andrew Ragan said the following using his Eye Gaze System, “I
can’t say enough how much this means. So incredibly uplifting and refreshing not only to the house but
emotionally…There has been a real sense of community and love that is carrying us through hard times.
The lessons our boys are learning through living this could not have been taught at any school or church.
You are all part of our lives in a very special way and we are grateful.” I think that this says it all.
A special thanks to Scott Bobrowich from Pro Concept Builders, the contractor who generously donated
his time, and to Eliz Tanny from E Tanny Design, the designer who helped plan colors, and set the pace
for style. For more information on ALS, and what you can do to help victims of the disease, please visit
http://www.alsguardianangels.com. You can also provide a donation directly to the family to help
continue their home make over project.
