Clinton & Denise: Grateful for SNAP

This Thanksgiving, Clinton and Denise Minnick are grateful for a much-utilized wheelchair ramp, courtesy of SNAP.

In late September, SNAP crews installed a ramp at the Minnick residence in Airway Heights. Denise has been confined to a wheelchair since suffering a severe stroke in June. Before the installation, Clinton was faced with recruiting help to lift Denise and her wheelchair from the ground to the entrance of the couple’s mobile home, a span of almost three feet. Clinton described the process as “a dangerous procedure.” Trained as an industrial maintenance mechanic, Clinton had been out of work for two years until getting a job with Habitat for Humanity shortly before Denise experienced her setback. With his wife nearly incapacitated, Clinton became a full-time caregiver working on a stretched budget. “Things were folding underneath us,” Clinton said. “I could have done the work for a ramp but we didn’t have money for the materials.” The prospect of helping Denise bridge the gap into her home proved to be a uphill battle. “I called around to a bunch of places asking who could help me with a ramp,” Clinton said. “Finally, someone at Catholic Charities said I should call SNAP.” Utilizing Minor Home Repair funds, SNAP workers had the ramp installed in a couple of days. “It’s been a huge relief,” Clinton said. “They angled it away from the house so it didn’t take up any driveway space. Everything went really smooth. Everyone has told me the ramp makes the house look better.” Each winter, Clinton said the property around the home “becomes like a swamp,” making the need for a wheelchair ramp even more necessary. “Now, I don’t have to call someone to help,” Clinton said. “It’s made a great difference.” Story & photos by SNAP’s Community Outreach Specialist, Craig Howard. Originally published: 11.27.13