LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Habitat for Humanity has been building a healthier community by providing people with an affordable, safe place to live.
Experts say that the home is not only where the heart is, but it also where the journey to health begins.
“It would stress me out. I’d get stuck in the hallway and my front wheels would get turned around and there I would sit pushing and rocking,” said Laura Thomas, a Habitat homeowner.
Thomas had faced a lot of challenges in her old apartment, which wasn’t wheelchair friendly.
After struggling to find accessible housing, Thomas turned to Habitat for Humanity and they made her dreams come true.
“The kitchen is wonderful. The house is wonderful, I love it here, I really, really do,” Thomas said.
Now a Habitat homeowner, Thomas helped design the house to meet her needs. The house has lower counters, accessible electrical outlets and other features.
In addition to stress, doctors said there are other health concerns that come with inadequate housing.
“If it’s in disrepair, you can see increased exposure to asthma triggers like pets and dust and mold, sometimes even lead, which can cause intellectual disabilities,” said Dr. Sarah O’Leary for CHI St. Joseph Health.
Habitat for Humanity works to get families out of those environments, restoring health and happiness in a community.
"It’s less stressful for me here and I just feel calmer,” said Thomas.
LEX 18 has decided to partner with Habitat for Humanity and CHI St. Joseph Health to build a home for a deserving family in Lexington.
