Georgia Magazine - July 2024 - 14

Currents
News from Georgia's electric co-ops * Compiled by Amy Schneider
G
Gas South helps make home
accessible
as South, the Atlanta-based
subsidiary of Cobb Electric
Membership Corp. (EMC) in
Marietta, teamed up with Roswell-based
nonprofit organization Sunshine on a
Ranney Day to complete a life-changing
home renovation for one Georgia family
in April.
Hudson Carver of Talking Rock was
diagnosed with Gaucher disease type 2
at just 9 months old. The rare, incurable
and terminal disease meant Hudson
likely would not live past age 2.
However, the happy and vivacious
Hudson has defied all medical odds.
He now is 6 years old and needed a
more accessible bathroom.
" Seeing this happen is such a relief, "
said Nichole Carver, Hudson's mom. " For
Hudson to be able to go up to the sink
in his wheelchair and just do things a
normal kid would do, like brushing
his teeth, practicing with his hair and
washing his hands. These are normal
things he was told he wouldn't be able
to do. It's amazing. "
Sunshine on a Ranney Day works
with experts to tailor rooms for children
Above: Hudson Carver, his family and some friends
gather for a photo before going in to see the
fi nished bathroom. Right: Carley Stephens of
Gas South tears out an old wall of the bathroom.
with special needs. Wheelchair-accessible
bathroom transformations are the No. 1
request the group receives from applicant
families. This renovation type typically costs
$45,000 to $60,000 and gives the child the
ability to have more privacy and independence while creating safety for parents
and caregivers who otherwise would have to lift, carry and bathe the child at every age.
" Many people take for granted that as your child grows, so does their ability to be
more independent in the bathroom when washing hands or bathing themselves, " said
Carley Stephens, manager of community affairs at Gas South.
" That's not the case with all kids, and Sunshine on a Ranney Day
creates amazing ways for kids with different abilities to navigate
and be independent in their own home. "
Hudson's transformed bathroom was made possible partly
thanks to more than 10,000 Gas South customers, who voted
on which organizations should receive Gas South's Impact
Investment of $100,000.
Sunshine on a Ranney Day was a winning recipient, and
Gas South's philanthropic dollars funded two bathroom
transformations, including Hudson's.
" We wouldn't be where we are today without organizations
like Sunshine on a Ranney Day or Gas South, " Nichole Carver
said. " When you put the 'special needs' title on anything, the
price goes up. It's been a struggle for the last six and a half
years, and [Sunshine on a Ranney Day and Gas South] helped
us through it all. "
To learn more about Sunshine on a Ranney Day and
The new bathroom will enable Hudson Carver, 6, to do everyday
tasks, such as brushing his teeth, independently.
14 Georgia Magazine July 2024
Hudson's story, visit sunshineonaranneyday.com. For more
information about Gas South's Be A Fuel For Good initiatives,
visit gassouth.com/giving-back.
NIKI MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHY
NIKI MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHY
COURTESY GAS SOUTH
http://www.sunshineonaranneyday.com http://www.gassouth.com/giving-back
Georgia Magazine - July 2024

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