Shoreline family and volunteers kick-off Rampathon with ramp for Parkwood student

Kira and Mimi Brown, Faye Rasmussen
The ramp was built by Crescent Builds
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Volunteers celebrate twenty-first year of service to disabled

On Wednesday May 14, 2014, nine-year-old Mimi Brown of Shoreline, a victim of athetoid dystonic cerebral palsy (ADCP) helped kick-off the Care Foundation’s 21th annual Rampathon, a single-day ramp building blitz. This year’s edition of Rampathon was presented by HomeStreet Bank.

ADCP significantly impacts Mimi’s ability to interact with others and her environment. It is difficult for her to communicate knowledge, needs and desires, and she is 100 percent dependent on others for mobility. Mimi uses a manual wheelchair and requires adult assistance at all times.

Despite these huge challenges, Mimi brightens the life of everyone she meets. She maintains a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. She loves school and reading funny stories.

From left, Kira and Mimi Brown, Jay Schupack
and teacher Faye Rasmussen
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Brown family learned about Rampathon from Mimi’s special education teacher at Parkwood Elementary School, Faye Rasmussen. Mimi’s mother, Kira, was very enthusiastic about the possibility of a ramp saying, “Wow, it would be wonderful to have that kind of help!” 

A ramp dedication at the Brown home formally initiated this year’s ramp building blitz. The following Saturday, a total of 17 additional families received free wheelchair access ramps thanks to hundreds of Care Foundation volunteers. 

Jay Schupack, Executive Director of the Care Foundation and an 11 year Rampathon veteran, summed up the feeling of many volunteers, “Our efforts pay huge dividends when the recipient goes down a new ramp for the very first time. The feeling certainly stayed with me, and I believe it’s what keeps volunteers coming back year after year.”

This is the 21th consecutive year for Rampathon, and almost 400 free ramps have been built throughout the Puget Sound area.

The Care Foundation is a 501 C (3) charitable organization registered with Washington’s Secretary of State. Rampathon volunteers, donors and sponsors come from construction and trades associated with construction, as well as other charitable organizations.

Mimi's ramp was a multi day process by a local contractor, Crescent Builds, who lives in Mimi's neighborhood. Measurements were taken on Saturday and work begun on Monday with the ramp delivered in pieces on Tuesday and finally completed Wednesday afternoon.

Mimi will be a third grader at Parkwood Elementary in the fall.