Free to move around at last

Her home on Whaley Street in Freeport was practically cut in half. It’s been exactly two years since Sandy Burns, 65, has seen the upstairs of her home due to her disabling Multiple sclerosis, MS, a disease, which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves.

But thanks to a Community Development Block Grant, CDBG through the Freeport Community Development Agency, FCDA, Burns was able to receive a renovation to her home that included the installation of a state-of-the-art handicapped chairlift inside her home, giving her access to the her bedroom upstairs and on her backyard deck, giving her access to easily get in and out of the car.

The construction also included the installation of three storm resilient doors — two front doors and a back door.

Prior to the new installation, Burns slept in a medical bed in her living room and rarely left the house. Her limited mobility was a health and fire hazard for Burns, according to village officials.

“With the chairlift in the house, we can now move our couch back in its place and go back to using our bedrooms upstairs,” Kevin Burns, Sandy’s husband said. “I couldn’t get her up and down the stairs because of her bedsore wounds.”

The grant funds are available for Freeporters who need assistance due to age, income or disabilities, according to Kimberly Labrador FCDA director. Annually village is allotted a portion of monies through the CBDG to use for projects that help residents like the Burnses and also can be used to improve the conditions public service agency and public facilities. The monies are also available to help with roof repairs and heating and electric projects.

“This is a fantastic program,” Labrador said. “Particularly for our seniors who are on fixed income or other residents on low incomes.”

Moving around the house and leaving the house became a struggle for Burns who was diagnosed with MS in 1986. The once working and active, former Freeport Public Schools receptionist had to retire early because of her condition in 2006 and since then has been dealing with a number of health complications due to her disease.

Among those complications included pressure ulcers or bedsores from her inability to turn on her sides or move freely. Now with a handicapped equipped home, the Burnses were eager to get back in their beds, as Kevin had been sleeping on the couch close to Sandy’s medical bed to stay close enough to her in case of an emergency.

“I’m honored that the [FCDA is working] to identify those residents who need assistance due to age, income or disabilities,” Mayor Robert Kennedy said.