Hi, My
name is Jeanette Pedigo. An here is the story of our own little Habitat for humanity Project.
My mother passed away in Nov. of '07,
leaving this very dilapidated house ( the original ranger station in American Fork, Utah ).
In 1990 my little brother, Aaron had a head trauma, ( he took an 8"
cedar post out with his face ) the ended cutting 16% of his frontal lobe of his brain off and sense of smell and throwing
it into the garbage. It also left him blind. 20/600 in one eye and no light perception in the other. It was explained
at that time in (1990) that bone fragment had severed the optic nerve to the good eye,leaving an untreated lazy eye to see
with hence the 20/600.Everyone turned to me as I have always been considered the strength of the family and they knew that
I tend to get things done, the "fixer". I said to the Dr.," OK sew it back together."
The Dr.s grunted and moaned,saying "He is already in
a coma, and probably wouldn't live so if he does SOMEWHERE in the future they could sew the nerve back together,
get rid of the scar tissue and he will be able to see again.
Twice I was prompted to put my foot down and demand they sew it back together.... but I was ... tired
... so so tired... I couldn't muster up enough strength to be Stearn.
Before her death my sister and I told our mother we didn't
want our share of the estate as we can muddle through and can take care of ourselves. As for him? He can not.
After mothers death I took Aaron to the MORAN vision center,(
the best of the best, state of the art equipment) to see if there were anything yet we could do for Aaron's sight, It
was well into the future ... right?
We learned there that the lazy eye functions perfectly, but since it wasn't treated by the age of 6, the brain never learned
the language that the eye speaks to it.
As far as the other eye? We learned that if they would have sewn the nerve back together in 1990 ..... it would have had blood
flow..... and it would not be Atrophy today. And they could have fixed it now ......
My heart crumbled into a million pieces.... If I could
have just mustered up enough strength to follow my promptings in 1990.....
I did not and will not let him see my grief and sadness that I carry to this day.
The Dr.s did say that they wanted to see him back in about
2 and a half years, as there is a technology being worked on right now... he would wear a pair of glasses with a camera on
the top, side of the glasses and it would see what he was "looking" at, and it would speak to a chip in the brain
that would intemperate to the brain what the camera was seeing in a language the brain understands.
Very high tech.... very costly ...and I don't think that Medicaid will pay for that.... right?
Hmmm, if I fix the house and rent it .... hmmm it will
cause an on going income that I may stash and come closer to getting this surgery for him.
So, I take out a loan knowing that things would have to be taken care of,IE. the electricity
and sewer,dry wall etc.
Once the loan was funded and WE
started tearing the sheet rock down
... well you can only imagine ....
Pandora's box exploded ...
Every contractor that walked into it was fascinated and in Awe saying something to the affect
of, "I have never seen anything like this in my life."
We found that probably just within a year, the roof trusses
and all would have come down on her. or it would have burned down around her. We had no idea cosmetically.
So we just bucked down and
thought of allot of sweat equity right? No, the trusses needed replacing it just wasn't safe .... and the permit
and engineer? ohhh my! I had no idea....
Some very wonderful people and business have joined in to help this good cause ... to do things
right.
The roofers and Drywallers
started calling it the "Good hands, Good Heart, Good Karma project." .....
I overheard the talk and and them saying," look I
know she doesn't have allot of money, but I could sure use some good Karma ...."
I just cried, I was so touched... and it took off from there!!!!!!
* ABC roofing supply
* Summit Engineering
* BMC West - trusses and architectural
* Roofers supply
* Out of the Woods Crane
Service
* J P heating and Cooling
* Signs Now
* Papa Johns
* J T and Sons Framing
* Condie construction - back hoe and sewer
* Alridge Plumbing
* C and G containers
* Westland electric
Some donated labor, equipment, knowledge, and supplies.
The Electrician's 7 yr old daughterhas a a rare disease that has left her like a wet noodle. the Dr's. said "I'm sorry to inform
you but she has something so rare that we don't even have a name for it. he works 2 full time jobs and medical
stuff and still is doing the work on the project.
When I learned of the 2 jobs,I felt so bad , I called to tell him,
"You have so much on your plate, I can't ask you to do this."
He replied, " Jeanette, as long as I have known you and that is a long time, If anyone ever
needed anything you were the first one to step up to the plate to get it done.You have Aaron to care for too and lots on your
plate too, and if we just help each other out we will be OK."
I was so touched, and you know something? He is right. It is getting
to the point with economy and this "dog eat dog" world with bartering and helping ... we can all be OK.
The feeling that happens
at that project when we are all working over there is simply amazing all hearts and minds are there with the the
right frame of mind.
98% of
the labor was and is donated,and things are done professionally and right.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have your
help...whatever there is that may help me help Aaron ....
All that has anything to do with the project gets one of Aaron's books " Aaron your Awesome " signed.
(it can be found on the Internet just Google Aaron your awesome!) or follow the Aaron your awesome link on this
site. we hope to have the press there soon, Signs now is helping with yard signs,
Thank you so much for your kindnesses,I can not tell you how grateful I am for all who has
and are helping...
Brian,
thank you, for the determination and and love to team up together for us
to both achieve, and allowing me to return the same,what a great team ..... and not to mention .... (slave labor)
haha 
... endless hours,days,months of time without a complaint... for which I could never do without,
I would be lost, and could not imagine not having him as such an important part of my life. Brian you are most
significant to me. u are my "right-hand man", " commander and chief ",
my main support,confidant,best friend,partner and my strength when I have run out. I am blessed and grateful.
Scott, for coming day in and day out, sharing the tiredness,the pain,the work, happiness and much laughter as we
do service. Helping the
" Dream Team" Git-r-done
Carla, thank you for your love,understanding,and
help..... we love you ...and may the best come to you always , we love you .
Kerry
thank you for taking a whole 4 day weekend even through sickness and worked and did not give up to do the sewer-line
.
Dave for helping me with the plumbing with no quams....
Jeanette Pedigo
American Fork, Utah
