A Lebanon woman is living with a rare health condition, and a neighboring church stepped in to improve her daily life.
Tiffany Walker has a condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), as well as dysautonomia and other disorders. Due to the limitations caused by these disorders, she frequently requires a wheelchair.
When members of Hillcrest Baptist Church just down the street from her home heard about her condition, they acted. Anthony Windsor, a friend of Walker’s, teaches a construction class at Cross Christian School, which is partnered with HBC.
Windsor’s students took measurements, priced the materials at Lowe’s, and received approval from the church to build the ramp. The students constructed it for Walker within a couple weeks, providing her with easier access to her home.
“For them to do that for me is just amazing, so I really want to express my gratitude, and I just really want to bring awareness to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and dysautonomia,” Walker said.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is categorized by 13 connective tissue disorder types, each with their own characteristics. Some of the more common characteristics can include tissue fragility and joint hypermobility, according to the Ehlers-Danlos Society.
Dysautonomia is a group of disorders that affect the autonomic nervous system that controls functions like heartrate, blood pressure, and temperature.
In the future, Walker will be getting a permanent, custom wheelchair to further accommodate her mobility needs. “I’m hoping that having that extra mobility aid will allow me to get out more. As soon as I have my chair, I plan on heading down to the church,” she said.
Windsor said Cross Christian School is all about volunteering in the community and gaining experience while doing so.
