Sunshine on a Ranney Day (SRD) changes lives by renovating homes of children with special needs. Lainey Barfield, daughter of Kim and Brad Barfield, recently received a wheelchair accessible bathroom and dream bedroom.
Holly and Peter Ranney started SRD. Through partnerships and donations, the non-profit creates wheelchair accessible bathrooms, dream bedrooms, and therapy rooms using top of the line construction and design at no cost to the family.
“The Ranneys started it as a hobby. They saw what a difference it made. So many people want to get involved. The generosity of people for special needs families has blown me away. They do for families like ours to help our lives be easier in a big way,” Kim Barfield said.
Born with Spina Bifida, Lainey, who will turn 14 this month, uses a wheelchair because of mobility issues. Tasks that most take for granted, like climbing stairs, bathing, brushing teeth, or using the commode, are daily challenges for the family.
Lainey’s bedroom was located on the upper level of the home. “We wanted to get Lainey downstairs. We’ve been carrying her up and down the stairs since she was six months old,” said Barfield who added that Lainey weighs 75 pounds.
Three different friends who knew about SRD encouraged Barfield to nominate Lainey for a room. SRD selected Lainey in October 2019 for a home makeover.
SRD transformed a downstairs office into Lainey’s dream “princess” bedroom and made the Master Bathroom near her room wheelchair accessible.
Before the bathroom makeover, Barfield would assist Lainey with bathing in a sunken bathtub as well as using the commode. “I had to do everything because she would have to hold herself up in the bathtub,” Barfield said.
The renovation promotes Lainey’s independence and gives the family peace of mind. “(The renovation) allows Lainey to wheel herself into the shower and to use a bath seat. We couldn’t even get her wheelchair into the bathroom before,” Barfield said.
“Just not having to lift her in and out of the tub, up and down on the floor, carrying her upstairs. It’s going to make such a difference,” Barfield said.
The renovation was a life changer for the Barfields. “It’s been a huge blessing; that’s for sure. And it will continue to be a blessing more and more. This is so beyond anything that we would have been able to do. This is great and a huge blessing,” Barfield said.
Learn more about SRD at https://www.sunshineonaranneyday.com/.
Photography by Amanda Evans, Makeover coordinator and Kim Barfield
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Beautiful story, so happy for all the Barfields, most especially Lainey!
Thank you, Lisa! The Barfields are a most deserving family. They have advocated and done so much for other people. I can’t think of anyone more lovely to receive this gift than Lainey.
Awww thank you!!! We love it so much💗💗💗