Edmonds mother regains freedom with a wheel chair ramp

Kathleen Wheeler holds the jackhammer as the
crew pauses from breaking up concrete for a photo op
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers

Ramp captain Joseph Irons, President of Irons Brothers Construction, and his team designed and constructed a FREE wheelchair access ramp for Kathleen Wheeler of Edmonds for the Master Builders Association annual Rampathon® event.

You can't roll a wheelchair over this
Photo courtesy Irons Bros.

For many years, Kathleen has struggled with severe Osteo-Arthritis (OA), Fibromyalgia and Diabetes, which makes mobility difficult and walking extremely painful.

For many of us, exiting our home without an obstacle is something we take for granted. For Kathleen, it’s almost impossible. With the new wheelchair ramp, Kathleen and her family are looking forward to a whole new perspective on life.

As her son Chris stated, “Having a ramp will enable her wheelchair to move into and out of her home, giving her the freedom she so deeply desires and desperately needs.”

Getting started
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers

The ramp site construction began early on the 20th, waking the neighborhood at around 8am. Over a dozen volunteers, including Irons Brothers Construction’s staff, colleagues, friends, family, along with the owner and team from 3 Guys Construction gathered for the construction.

They completed the build on Saturday and a crew will be back on Monday to pour the concrete.

The reward for the crew is when Kathleen can safely wheel herself down the new ramp. Irons Brothers Construction maintains the highest commitment to philanthropy and giving back to the local community is at the heart of who we are. 

Michell Filleau-Maas, Community Stewardship Manager Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, said,

"Joseph and Melissa Irons and their team are true gifts to our community. Their decade-long involvement in Rampathon®, as well as other events sponsored by the Master Builders Association, is a wonderful example of dedication to giving back to the areas they serve. 

Each year, volunteering their time and talent, they have changed the lives of individuals who are home-bound or limited in their ability to leave their homes. That’s what Rampathon® is all about.”

If the ramp means freedom for Kathleen and others
then these are the freedom fighters
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers

On Saturday, May 20, 2017, Kathleen Wheeler, along with over 40 other families throughout King and Snohomish Counties were the recipients of a free wheel chair ramps built as part of the Master Builders Association’s Rampathon® Event.

This year, Irons Brothers Construction, based in Shoreline, will participate in their 13th Rampathon®

Thanks to the Master Builders Association and the generous donors listed below, this ramp was built at no cost to the recipient.

We believe our neighbors in need deserve the same freedoms we have. Wheelchair access ramps are their link to our beautiful community we all share.

Special recognition to donors for the Kathleen Wheeler ramp:

• Irons Brothers Construction, Inc. for volunteer labor and materials
• 3 Guys Construction for volunteer labor and materials
• Dunn Lumber for lumber material donation

Photo courtesy Irons Brothers Construction

Irons Brothers Construction is celebrating 18 years of business in 2017 and has a Design + Build Center showroom located at 1510 NE 170th St., Shoreline 98155. 

Here they showcase universal design, aging in place remodeling, and best construction practices. Company owner, Joseph Irons and team, have their Certified Aging in Place Specialist designations (CAPS) thru the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Certified Living in Place Professional certifications (CLIPP) thru the Living in Place Institute.

In each remodel they incorporate universal design principles and practices when possible.