BUDA — In November 2021, Michael Curlee, a Buda resident, fell out of a deer tower resulting in paralysis of his lower extremities and making his home inadequate until the Austin National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) offered a remodel at no cost.
Curlee suffered two herniated discs, fractures to his vertebrae, broken ribs and lost sensation from his chest downward after falling 12 feet from a deer stand. These life-altering injuries meant that the home Curlee, his wife Joy Bliss and son Milo lived in would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for him to navigate in a wheelchair.
After being notified of Curlee’s situation through a member of the institution, Austin NARI — a nonprofit organization that focuses on connecting vendors, suppliers and contractors to residents for remodels — connected with Bliss to discuss the remodel.
“We went out [to the house] with Joy and walked the house. We tried to figure out how we can get certain things done — knock some walls down, move some doors and all that,” said Austin NARI Executive Director Kayvon Leath.
The remodel, which amounted to an estimated $170,000, was entirely free due to donations of supplies and labor.
The newly renovated accessible bathroom for Michael Curlee.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DIMENSIONAL FLOOR PLANS & PHOTOGRAPHY[/caption]
“Michael couldn’t get in and out of the home. The doorway was too small, it was an older home. It had no wheelchair accessibility, so we redid the front, put a ramp in, we redid the dining area, his bedroom, bathroom and office. This way, he can use those areas of his home,” said Leath. “This remodel was approximately $170,000, and we ended up having all our suppliers, vendors and people donate materials and labor. We were able to get that all done at no cost.”
Austin NARI, Wild Creek Custom Renovations, Twelve Stones Design and Eastside Lumber and Decking contributed their time and services to create a space that helped Curlee return home with ease.
On Friday, May 26, Austin NARI held a welcome home celebration where Curlee and his family returned to their newly-renovated home for the first time after 8 months. The family was staying with friends while their home was under construction.
“[The family was] very appreciative. He came home that morning and he was excited. He wheeled his chair around the bathroom and he was so excited because it was going to be his first real shower in eight months. He had just been doing sponge baths … We made it all accessible so that he wouldn’t have to rely on anybody else. He can go in and out of that bathroom, go into his office, into his bedroom and in his closet,” Leath stated. “Joy was really excited because he’s going to be able to do more stuff independently … This was her biggest challenge. She didn’t realize how stuff out there in the world is not accessible and easy. It’s not like you can just jump in the car and go to HEB with him. You have to plan all that out.”
The program through which the Curlee family was nominated uses the donations Austin NARI receives and puts the money toward community needs such as installing safety glass in schools or building decks for veterans to have access to their home after sustaining injuries in service.
Austin NARI serves Travis, Williamson and Hays counties. Residents can reach the organization at [email protected] for more information about the program.
Local paralyzed Buda resident receives a home remodel from Austin National Association of the Remodeling Industry at no cost
By Brittany Kelley BUDA — In November 2021, Michael Curlee, a Buda resident, fell out of a deer tower resulting in paralysis of his lower extremities and making his home inadequate until the Austin National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) offered a remodel at no cost.
- 06/07/2023 08:20 PM
