by Walter Schmudlach
Otha drowned at the age of 16 months, and as a result he has severe brain damage, is non-verbal, non-ambulatory and has palsy.
Before Hurricane Katrina, Otha’s older brother was in the hospital and about to die. He asked his mother to keep his house for his younger brother Otha. His mother Dorothy is sickly and on a fixed income, with no means to restore Otha’s house. The reconstruction of this house is truly an act of mercy.
Thanks to volunteers who gave time and money for materials, we’ve been able to restore Otha’s house this winter, with work including a new roof, siding, electric, plumbing with a handicap shower, window, subfloor, insulation, drywall, painting, doors, floor tile, kitchen cabinets and finally a ramp.
As project manager I witnessed the reconstruction – it was like a miracle before my eyes.
God blessed this “Mother’s Dream” by sending to New Orleans many volunteers who worked on this house and very generously made financial gifts for the necessary materials, through Camp Restore’s Materials Assistance fund.
Our thanks go to the many, many volunteers and the truly generous donors of these funds, without which such works of mercy could not happen.