Volunteers refinish home for a paralyzed woman
BELLS, Tenn. — A massive effort by a local agency and a lot of volunteers has ensured a Crockett County woman, paralyzed from the chest down, has a place to call home. “We started off this morning by completely redoing the landscaping for Ms. Ingram – there wasn’t anything here,” said John Maness, a Home Depot volunteer. In one day, new landscaping, floors, and a new ramp turned a house into a home for Betty Ingram, who was paralyzed almost two decades ago after being shot by her husband. “She was coming to pick us up from my grandmother’s house and he shot her for the second time, and it paralyzed her from her breast-line down,” Betty’s daughter, Olivia Ingram said. Olivia said circumstances that are forcing them out of their current home put them in need of help. “The project today is very special. This is really the largest project we’ve ever taken on; usually we are just building a ramp or doing a single project,” explained Beth James, Executive Director of the Jackson Center for Independent Living. James said she’s thankful for the help of their local Home Depot. “I didn’t know what we were going to do, and they did. What can you say? That’s what a community’s for,” James said. For Olivia, although her mother is paralyzed, it hasn’t hindered their relationship, and has encouraged her to become a nurse. “I watched that growing up, and it’s made me really want to be independent, and if she can be a great mom and raise me from a bed, I know I can be a great mom and a great nurse and help others.” Olivia said. JCIL says it’s always looking for people to get involved with the organization. Anyone who would like to get involved can give them a call at (731) 668-2211, or visit them at 1981 Hollywood Drive in Jackson.
