Sabrina Wurf, like millions of other Americans, is caring for an elderly parent who suffers from various medical issues.
“The past year has certainly been one of the worst years in my mom’s life,” Sabrina Wurf wrote in her nomination letter to the Angie’s List
Wishmakers, a program designed to grant home improvement wishes for those in need. “She needs regular blood transfusions and was admitted to the ICU after a urinary tract infection nearly took her life.”
Barbara Wurf, 76, suffers from a rare bone marrow disorder called Myelodysplastic Syndrome. She is currently being treated at a nursing home, and while her daughter thought she would soon be able to return home, she was concerned about her living conditions.
The inside of the house hadn’t seen a coat of paint in more than 70 years and was in need of many repairs, organization and a wheelchair ramp. Wurf, 45, and a long-time Angie’s List member contacted the Wishmakers program for help.
“More seniors are aging-in-place these days, adding another element to the grown children’s care-taking tasks.” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. “Through the Wishmakers program, we were able to give the Wurfs the help they needed as well as peace of mind, knowing that they were receiving help from highly rated companies in the Los Angeles area.”
Because of the age of the home and fear of toxic levels of lead paint and asbestos, before allowing contractors to start working, Angie’s List lined up California state-certified mold, lead-paint and asbestos consultant, Frank Najafi, president of AARDVARK Property Hazard Analysis, Co. Test results showed the house was clear of toxins.
Tracy McCubbin, owner of
dClutterfly.com and her team donated their services to declutter the den so it could be used as a new bedroom for Barbara. The highly rated crew also helped organize the garage. The 24 hours of work was daunting but not uncommon to McCubbin’s team.
“Many times our clients are regular folks who are short on time and money struggling to deal with the day-to-day pressures of real life,” McCubbin said. “The ‘stuff’ can add up quickly making it overwhelming for the homeowner. It’s our job to help alleviate the clutter and stress.”
Accessible Design & Consulting, Inc. and
EZ Access teamed up to generously discount and install a modular ramp system to give Barbara access to her healthy home.
Additionally, Joe Rivera of
JR Construction helped Sabrina with some handyman services like moving shelves and hanging pictures to help make the home return-ready for Barbara.
Donated services from all five companies totaled more than $6,200.
“I’m so grateful for all that Angie’s List has done,” Sabrina said. “I feel as if a weight has been lifted.”
Since 2004, the premiere provider of
consumer ratings and reviews on local service companies has partnered with its highly rated service providers to grant wishes across the country. Nominations are accepted via email at
WishmakersRequests@angieslist.com.
Previous Wishmakers projects include:
- Giving a wounded soldier’s mother in Atlanta, Georgia, a new kitchen sink and dishwasher.
- Providing a new roof for a Shaker Heights, Ohio family who lost their three young daughters in a house fire.
- Helping a Chicago family move into a new house when their home was foreclosed after the death of their 11-year old daughter.
- Painting the home of a Carmel, Ind. family who faced financially difficulties due to medical ailments and the loss of a job.
- Building a room addition on to the home of an Indianapolis family whose little boy has the “Bubble Boy” disease and has to live in sterile isolation.
- Repairing the car of a disabled Navy veteran in Deland, Florida to help him get back up on his feet after a long, up-hill medical battle.
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