Laila’s New Ramp

Laila is a little girl from China who was adopted by Upstate couple Joslynn and Jason McLaughlin. Laila has a rare muscle disorder that requires her to be in a wheelchair full time. Because their house had no ramp, she was unable to get in and out of her home on her own; one of her parents had to pick her up and carry her to the car. Through REBUILD UPSTATE, volunteers from Clemson University’s Undergraduate Bioengineering Society built a ramp at Laila’s house. She can now get in and out of her home easily on her own.

[dt_quote type=”blockquote” font_size=”big” animation=”none” background=”plain”]”My daughter is from China. The opportunities for her to survive with her disease are minimal. The opportunity for her to thrive there is non-existent. Laila has benefited from the medical and social services here, but the true blessings have come from those who don’t have to help but want to. I am so thankful for this outreach organization whose focus is to serve beautiful, special people like my daughter with their whole hearts and total commitment. Without Rebuild Upstate, my daughter would be confined to using her new power chair indoors. They have given her access to play and move and go outside like a normal child. There’s an old proverb that says, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ We are working hard to provide for Laila’s significant needs, but we could not have given Laila this opportunity for independence that she needs and deserves without our fellow “villagers” at Rebuild Upstate stepping in to build this ramp for her.” – Laila’s Mom[/dt_quote]