Creating Accessible Family Spaces for a Special Six-Year Old

Giving back is an integral part of our company culture. Our co-owner and GM, Ed Roskowinski set the stage for continued philanthropy when he created NARI Cares as a 501(c)(3) while serving as The National Association of the Remodeling’s (NARI) Board President. NARI Cares is committed to assisting Minnesota homeowners and organizations in need by performing affordable repairs or remodeling projects that will help improve the lives of those less fortunate.

Our most recent project brought us to the home of the Dahl family. A group of designers and makers saw a need and rallied together to build a solution for a six-year old boy born with a severe case of Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. Levi Dahl suffers from multiple joint contractures throughout his body and is only capable of moving his head and few fingers. Levi’s Arthrogryposis hindered his ability to move his powered wheelchair throughout his home – the major stumbling block being that his family’s dining room and front entry floors were built a step lower than the rest of the main floor living spaces. 

The goal of the project was to make all of these key family gathering spaces accessible to Levi. The project included re-framing the new floor height, moving all electrical, and replacing windows and doors to meet code. The spaces were then finished with an updated trim package, new tile and light fixtures -- as well as a new fireplace surround to gather around. The new raised floors now tie into the rest of the main-floor areas allowing Levi access the dining room, joining his family for gatherings and meals.

We could not have done this alone and are extremely grateful to the organizations that joined us for this life-changing project. The total pro-bono value of the project was $48k (of which Vujovich’s share was $16k). 

A big thank you to the following:
Biffs, Inc.
Brushmasters
Ceramic Tile Works
Citywide Wood Floors
Eull Woodwork
Express Window Fashions
Fulton 
Glowing Hearth & Home
Hirschfield’s
Jerome & Company
J Korsbon Designs, ASID
JZ Electric
Lisa Ball, ASID
Mac’s Roll Off Service
Marvin Windows and Doors
NARI Cares
NVR Surfaces
Practical Systems
Scott County
Shaw/Stewart Lumber Co.
Southern Lights

“The most difficult thing about raising a child with special needs is just that: it’s difficult!  Nothing is easy as every little trivial task takes extra planning, time and energy. Magnify that into not only finding a home that we hoped one day could suit our needs, but then also needing to remodel said home. To come out the other side of a home remodeling project and be able to say that it was ‘easy’ for us speaks to the unprecedented levels of dedication and devotion from the entire Vujovich and NARI Cares teams. We are constantly advocating for every aspect of our son’s needs, and to have someone take over that responsibility for this remodel meant so much more to us than the literal load that was taken off our shoulders. Any outsider would see a beautifully remodeled dining room.  We see a safe space for our 6 year old to drive his power chair. We see the space that he and his sister can race circles around each other in. We see the space that will serve to host every family holiday and function so that Levi will be able to participate in them. We see the space we had only dreamed of providing for our son when he was born. We will be forever grateful for the kindness and generosity we have received. Our deepest thanks.” -Allison Dahl