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December, 1995

Ramp for Disabled Child Completed by UMaine's Student ASCE Chapter

An 8-year-old Bangor child received an early Christmas present Dec. 2 through the efforts of the UMaine student chapter of the American Society for Civil Engineering (ASCE). Casey Baker, who is confined to a wheelchair by a spinal condition known as spina bifida, now rolls into his Garland Street home via a new custom-built ramp.

Under the supervision of chapter advisor Dana Humphrey, associate professor of civil engineering, the UMaine students drew up plans for the ramp in October and, after several design changes, started construction Oct. 28.

"Casey liked to come out and watch us work," says chapter president Mike McAdams. "He really got excited when the concrete truck from Round Rock pulled up to his house."

"The most important thing this gives him is independence," says his mother, Sharon Baker. Casey even helped with some of the construction himself, she adds. "He got to use the power screw driver, and did he have fun. He was filthy when he came in but loved every minute of it."

Sharon says the ramp could not have come at a better time. Until now, she had to carry Casey up a flight of stairs into the house. "The ramp is a real godsend. He was getting so heavy I just couldn't carry him anymore."

"The students, especially a core of eight or so, have been quite enthusiastic about the project," McAdams adds. "They have donated a lot of time out of their personal schedules. In total, we've all spent about 300 hours on this project."

The structure is made of pressure-treated lumber on concrete footings and measures 30 feet long. It was built according to handicapped accessibility standards including proper slope, width and railings.

According to Humphrey, construction projects give the 60-member chapter experience meeting the needs of clients, complying with building regulations and designing facilities under sometimes adverse circumstances.

Donations for the ramp were received from the Old Town Knights of Columbus, Gagne Precast of Veazie, Round Rock Concrete of Old Town, Wickes Lumber and Bangor True Value Hardware.

The ramp is the fourth project the students have undertaken this year. The ASCE chapter also built a ramp for injured UMaine rugby player Jeff Tweedie and a toy storage shed for the UMaine child care center. Repairs have also been made to park benches on campus.

Humphrey says he welcomes suggestions for other projects. In considering what types of jobs to do, he considers the financial and personal needs of the clients as well as design opportunities.

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