• Habitat for Humanity honors founding members Ray & Shirley Limoges
• Habitat partners with Olde Towne Moving & Storage
• Habitat's Earth Day Extravaganza on 4/22
• "Habitat Builds Colorado Day" building day for government officials on 4/19
• Dunn/Edwards Groundbreaking in Rifle on 3/19
• Roaring Fork Charity Golf Tournament on 6/9
• Keeping Family Together - Remodel Project
• Ground Breaking for Habitat Home in Carbondale December 9th
• ReStore Press Release
• "Habitat helps save log building"
• "Finally, a little room to spare"
• "Building a home for a family in need"

"Building a home for a family in need"

Habitat for Humanity nears completion of another project

BY JOHN GARDNER
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
September 4, 2007

BASALT - For the past five years the Edwards family hasn't had a place to call home. But sometime in early 2008 that will all change with a little help from Habitat for Humanity and their friends in the valley.

Scott Edwards sat slightly reclined in his motorized wheelchair, his wife Shari by his side. Their daughter, Danika, and twin sons, Cory and Caleb, study the miniature models of homes in a conference room at Cottle Carr Yaw Architects (CCY) in Basalt.

Basalt is a long way from Rifle, where the Edwards family lives. But you can tell it was worth the trip when you hear Scott ask about what features his new home will include.

"Since we are (Denver) Broncos fans does that mean we can have the roof painted in blue and orange?" he asked politely.

Shari, shaking her head, replied, "No."

But Scott Gilbert, president of the board of directors for the Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley, said, "If that's what you want we can try to accommodate."

That's the spirit of the organization. To give families not only a house but a place they can call home.

The Edwards family hasn't had a place like that for nearly five years, since Scott broke his neck in a car accident near Silt, resulting in partial paralysis from the neck down.

"I'm what they refer to as an incomplete quadriplegic," he said.

Scott has feeling from head to toe and has partial movement in his arms but he can't walk. At least not for the moment, but he's working on it.

"I will walk again," he said defiantly. "Even if it's only five steps."

Since the accident, he's been in hospitals from Grand Junction to Denver, and Shari and the kids have accompanied him. Currently they live in Rifle in a single-bedroom home totaling 900 square feet. Not quite enough for a family of five and a man in a wheel chair.

"It sounds worse than it is," Shari said. "But it's really not that bad."

She's right. It could have been much worse if Scott hadn't been wearing his seat belt the day of his accident.

Nonetheless, they manage in their cramped quarters. Shari and Scott sleep side by side in hospital-type beds in the living room, and sometimes Shari sleeps on the couch. The three kids share the single bedroom.

"It's time for them to have their own rooms," Scott said looking over the plans of his future home, with Shari still by his side.

Habitat for Humanity started the project in April. With the help of many community contributors including donated plans from CCY, a land donation from Sally Brands of Savage Land Co. in Rifle and a $40,000 grant from EnCana Oil and Gas to go for construction cost, the Edwards' home is all but built.

It's something that has Scott realizing just how lucky he really is not only to be alive, but to live in a community that cares.

"It's been overwhelming," he said. "Even when we first got back the community support was incredible."

Scott said that so many friends and neighbors came by with food that Shari didn't have to cook for weeks. As nice as that may have been, she's looking forward to cooking in her new home.

"The whole thing's been overwhelming, it's really exciting," Scott said, his wife Shari by his side.

Contact John Gardner: 384-9114
[ email ]

Post Independent, Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO