Almost all of our Tradie mates have provided free labour.
And then, they have thanked us for letting them help out.
They say they wish they could have done more... or say 'It was nothing'.
This post is for them... to show them just what it means, financially, to Dexter.
And then, they have thanked us for letting them help out.
They say they wish they could have done more... or say 'It was nothing'.
This post is for them... to show them just what it means, financially, to Dexter.
The house renovation was never Lenice and Andrew's idea.
They had some people inspect the old home, in terms of Dexter and his needs.
Every room had a problem. Or more than one.
Every room needed to be changed.
And, the costs of these changes were huge.
The changes were needed... not wanted:
Steps... that weird narrowed kitchen/hallway entrance... ceiling hoists... a bathroom and toilet too small to fit Dexter's 'shower/toilet wheelchair'...
Listening to the growing list of necessary changes was heartbreaking.
And so, I looked for a way to help fix the house.
The big house building companies were not interested in us.
The TV shows were not interested in us.
Melissa and I were both trying to get them to help.
And then, we turned to facebook, and our local community.
And, here we are.
They had some people inspect the old home, in terms of Dexter and his needs.
Every room had a problem. Or more than one.
Every room needed to be changed.
And, the costs of these changes were huge.
The changes were needed... not wanted:
Steps... that weird narrowed kitchen/hallway entrance... ceiling hoists... a bathroom and toilet too small to fit Dexter's 'shower/toilet wheelchair'...
Listening to the growing list of necessary changes was heartbreaking.
And so, I looked for a way to help fix the house.
The big house building companies were not interested in us.
The TV shows were not interested in us.
Melissa and I were both trying to get them to help.
And then, we turned to facebook, and our local community.
And, here we are.
We asked for Mate's Rates and Love. (We hoped for lots of love.)
We did that because Lenice and Andrew cannot afford these renovations.
They have taken money from their mortgage, to cover the cost of the renovations.
Cerebral palsy is expensive. Dexter is expensive. (Lucky he's so cute and cheeky!)
We did that because Lenice and Andrew cannot afford these renovations.
They have taken money from their mortgage, to cover the cost of the renovations.
Cerebral palsy is expensive. Dexter is expensive. (Lucky he's so cute and cheeky!)
And so, to the 'It was nothing' Tradie Mates...
By providing free labour, and free or discounted materials, you have given Dexter and his family so, so much. The generosity is so heartwarming, to an exhausted and over-whelmed family. It means more than we will ever be able to express.
And financially... The money you have saved them can be used, down the track, to buy Dexter the therapies and specialised equipment he needs. Thank you!
By providing free labour, and free or discounted materials, you have given Dexter and his family so, so much. The generosity is so heartwarming, to an exhausted and over-whelmed family. It means more than we will ever be able to express.
And financially... The money you have saved them can be used, down the track, to buy Dexter the therapies and specialised equipment he needs. Thank you!
Here's a list of Dexter items, for you to see just how much this means:
Thickener: (Dexter's cerebral palsy means he chokes on water, and he needs all drinks thickened) $18 a month or $216 a year.
Nappies and baby wipes: $45 a month or $540 a year.
Bibs: Dexter drools, so... he needs large bibs. ~$5-$10 each
Specialised spoons: to help Dexter feed himself - $5 each
Thumb wraps - to help him remember to open his fingers - $20+
Leg wraps - for additional support - $20+
Arm wraps - for additional support - $20+
Specialists appointments - ~$120+
Physiotherapy costs $140 an hour, or about $7,200 a year.
Speech therapy costs $160 an hour, or about $8,320 a year.
Occupational therapy costs $160 an hour, or about $8,320 a year.
Shoes for walking were bought second hand and cost $170. He will always need supportive shoes. One shoe will always need to be modified, with a wedge built under it, because of his bone surgery. Usually, they cost $300.
Second hand floor seat cost $320 and allows Dexter to join in floor games. Typically, this costs $1500.
A car seat (modified with additional support) - $250
Dexter's walker is almost too small for him. To replace this will cost over $5000.
A communication pod will cost thousands of dollars.
Standing frame replacement, when he outgrows his current one, over $10,000.
Ramps to wheel the wheelchair in to the car - thousands
A wheelchair accessible van - ~$60,000
Modifications to the van (for the wheelchair) - ~$10,000
Ceiling hoists to lift Dexter from his bed to the bath - thousands (and more renovations to the ceiling, for support beams)
A wheelchair lift at the garage door - thousands
Thickener: (Dexter's cerebral palsy means he chokes on water, and he needs all drinks thickened) $18 a month or $216 a year.
Nappies and baby wipes: $45 a month or $540 a year.
Bibs: Dexter drools, so... he needs large bibs. ~$5-$10 each
Specialised spoons: to help Dexter feed himself - $5 each
Thumb wraps - to help him remember to open his fingers - $20+
Leg wraps - for additional support - $20+
Arm wraps - for additional support - $20+
Specialists appointments - ~$120+
Physiotherapy costs $140 an hour, or about $7,200 a year.
Speech therapy costs $160 an hour, or about $8,320 a year.
Occupational therapy costs $160 an hour, or about $8,320 a year.
Shoes for walking were bought second hand and cost $170. He will always need supportive shoes. One shoe will always need to be modified, with a wedge built under it, because of his bone surgery. Usually, they cost $300.
Second hand floor seat cost $320 and allows Dexter to join in floor games. Typically, this costs $1500.
A car seat (modified with additional support) - $250
Dexter's walker is almost too small for him. To replace this will cost over $5000.
A communication pod will cost thousands of dollars.
Standing frame replacement, when he outgrows his current one, over $10,000.
Ramps to wheel the wheelchair in to the car - thousands
A wheelchair accessible van - ~$60,000
Modifications to the van (for the wheelchair) - ~$10,000
Ceiling hoists to lift Dexter from his bed to the bath - thousands (and more renovations to the ceiling, for support beams)
A wheelchair lift at the garage door - thousands
To every single tradie mate and business who has provided free or discounted materials and labour... Thank you!
You've showered Dexter and his family with love and support, and you have saved them an incredible amount of money.. money which will be spent on Dexter.
We hope you can look back on this with a proud smile. xx
You've showered Dexter and his family with love and support, and you have saved them an incredible amount of money.. money which will be spent on Dexter.
We hope you can look back on this with a proud smile. xx
We do need carpenters and renderers!
If you want to join us, email [email protected]
Message us through the Doing it for Dexter facebook page
Click here to see who offered support
The Original Idea
Dexter's Fun Plans
Dexter's 2013
Dexter's First Month
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
Return to Home page
Find me on: facebook twitter instagram pinterest youtube
If you want to join us, email [email protected]
Message us through the Doing it for Dexter facebook page
Click here to see who offered support
The Original Idea
Dexter's Fun Plans
Dexter's 2013
Dexter's First Month
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
Return to Home page
Find me on: facebook twitter instagram pinterest youtube