John and Sarah Kottwitz are the loving parents of three disabled
children. Tristan (7), Kylie (6), and Ethan (4) were all three born
with Cerebral Palsy. They all have leg braces, but only Tristan can
walk. Kylie and Ethan are confined to a wheel-chair. This is what is
causing a problem. The Kottwitz family lives in a 1940's 2.5 bedroom
single family home; it is only 900 square feet. “Home” is presenting a
new set of challenges for the Kottwitz family. With the kids all having
wheelchairs and special equipment, there just is not enough room to get
around in the house. John and Sarah just recently had to downsize their
living room
furniture so the kids’ wheel chairs could get around. With all three
kids requiring around-the-clock care and special equipment; it’s all
the family can do to make it from one day to the next.
John is the hardest working man that I know, after he gets done working
at his actual job, he comes home and continues working. He recently
built a ramp going into the house. This is the only thing about the
house that is handicap accessible for the kids. Sarah is only 5 foot
and 100 pounds, she struggles as it is lifting the wheelchairs in and
out of their van, and the lifting is only going to get harder as the
kids grow. Another struggle that John and Sarah deal with is their
bathtub. Since the children cannot bathe themselves, that is all left
to them. They do not know what is going to happen when the kids get
older; they will not be able to lift them in and out of the bathtub.
Tristan is very outgoing, friendly; he loves animals and being outside with his dad. Tristan also has a passion for baseball and would love to play sports someday!
Kylie is worse off than the other two children, medically. She is very
stubborn but strong willed. John and Sarah were told that she would
never be able to walk or talk. She is a strong girl and is proving
those doctors wrong everyday! She can make full sentences, count to 20,
name some colors, and spell her first and last name. Kylie is also
visually impaired. Since she cannot walk, she "army crawls" around on
the floor.
Ethan is worse off than the other two children, mentally. He has
sensory issues and hates loud noises so John and Sarah cannot take him
many places. Ethan loves being in his bedroom with the radio going at all times!
John and Sarah do not like asking for help. They try to do everything
they can on their own. All they want is the best for their kids.We are currently trying to get them nominated for the extreme home makeover, but in the event that they do not receive a home makeover i am collecting donations so that they can afford to make changes to their current home to better their family. Thank you for your kindness and donations.