Heidi Nentwig McClure, right, enjoys the ability to exit her front door on her own for the first time in five years. From left are nurse Catherine Ballard, husband Bob McClure, service dog Meeka and McClure.
Photo by Emily CrismanFor the first time in five years, lifelong Signal Mountain resident Heidi Nentwig McClure is able to get out of her home on her own, thanks to a new ramp built by fraternal life-insurance organization the Modern Woodmen of America.
McClure has had a rare skin disease since birth, which causes her to become hurt easily and has slowly cost her the use of her hands and now her feet.
“There are times in my life when I’m better at coping than others, and this is one of those times,” said McClure. “It helps to have people who love you with their antenna out.”
McClure’s mother, Marion Nentwig, learned about the organization and the projects through an interview around the time ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover featured the Sharrock family of Rossville, Ga.
The ramp at McClure’s home is the ninth built so far this year by the Modern Woodmen, which has a regional office based in Ringgold. Financial representative Buster Smith said five more ramps, referred to by the group as “Good Neighbor” projects, are already in the works.