(mentions CMT) Local men offer aid

[Guest guest]

Local men offer aid

http://www.circlevilleherald.com/main.asp?

SectionID=3 & SubSectionID=98 & ArticleID=106404

A dedicated group of Pickaway countians has been volunteering their

time for the last several years as part of an effort to help the

frail, elderly and disabled of the county.

The Circle of Caring, a volunteer organization associated with Berger

Health System, works to help people remain in their homes and stay

independent, according to assistant coordinator Kathy Kanitz.

" We try to help people that don't have a support system in place, "

Kanitz said.

Although the organization offers many different services for clients,

one of the bigger programs is to build handicap ramps for people who

need them but have no means for the construction of a ramp.

This is the 11th year for the ramp building program, according to

volunteer Ken Harness. The group has built more than 100 ramps in

that time and Harness said the program is a great way for him and

other volunteers to stay active, as most of them are retired.

" We try to concentrate on those who can't help themselves, " said

Harness, who, along with several other volunteers, recently helped

build a ramp for Weaver at his home on East High Street in

Circleville.

Weaver, 34, a life-long Circleville resident, suffers from a genetic

nerve disorder, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which has caused him to

lose nearly all feeling in his arms and legs.

The debilitating disease limits Weaver's mobility, causing him to

have to use a power chair to get around.

Weaver recently got a power chair, but was then presented with

another problem: his home didn't have a handicap ramp. After checking

around with several community organizations, Weaver got set-up with

the Circle of Caring and Logan Elm Baptist Church.

" I was down to my last option until I got this help, " Weaver said. " I

wasn't expecting this. Things like this usually don't happen to me. "

With funds from a grant from the city of Circleville, Weaver was able

to buy materials for a deck over his old porch, which was built by

church volunteers, and for the ramp, constructed by Circle of Caring

volunteers.

Kanitz said the group of men that volunteer to help build the ramps

have a strong bond and are very dedicated to helping people in the

community.

" It makes us feel good to help folks, " Harness said. " What we do

helps keep people from becoming prisoners in their own homes. "

The Circle of Caring started with 17 volunteers in its first year and

the program has grown substantially, with more than 100 volunteers

giving help to 316 recipients in 2007, according to Kanitz.

" We network with other businesses and organizations and try to fill

gaps where other services may not be available, " Kanitz

said. " There's a growing need in the county, and we think there's

more need out there. We're continually trying to educate people about

the services we provide. "

Now that he has the power chair and a ramp, Weaver hopes to be able

to take his five year-old daughter, RyAnn, to the Columbus Zoo,

something he's wanted to do since she was born.

" I'd really like to be able to take her to the zoo sometime, " Weaver

said. " I'm still working on it, but maybe I can do it now. "