Bobbi-Jo LeClair shows off her spacious bedroom in her family’s brand new barrier-free home. The LeClairs moved in Aug. 8, but Bobbi-Jo and her parents will be leaving soon for Fredericton, N.B., where she will participate in six more weeks of physiotherapy.
The rest of the spunky Tignish teen's family lives there, too, but the sign out front reads: "Tignish Special Needs Housing 2011 Inc. Site of Bobbi-Jo LeClair Home."
The single storey, barrier-free home was built, largely, with volunteer labour and donated materials, with Bobbi-Jo's needs in mind.
The family took occupancy on Aug. 8.
"We didn't think this day would come," marvels her mom, Donna.
The LeClairs are grateful to Roy Hogan and Leo Gaudet for co-ordinating the housing project, and to the countless individuals, businesses and organizations who made the accessible home a reality.
From the front door and from the garage, visitors flow easily through the dining room, kitchen and living room. Bobbi-Jo's room is spacious, providing lots of room for her to visit with friends. The bedroom extends into her own private washroom.
Bobbi-Jo LeClair was just one month into her Grade 11 school year when she was critically injured in an October 2010 motor vehicle crash. Extended hospital stays followed. She made it home to Tignish for the first time last Christmas and then returned to Fredericton, N.B., for more therapy. After spending the summer home and participating in the move into their brand new home, she returns to Fredericton next week for six more weeks of therapy and for surgery on her hand to improve mobility.
The accessibility of the new home means Bobbi-Jo can return home any time no therapy is scheduled in Fredericton.
After the six-week stay she plans to return to classes at Westisle Composite High School.
There is a special place in her heart for Westisle as the school has been extremely supportive of her and her family since the crash. When her friends and classmates graduated in June she drafted a letter congratulating them on their achievements, thanking them for their support and wishing them a safe summer.
Donna said her daughter has been benefitting from twice-weekly therapy sessions in Alberton, and she's noticing improvement. Those sessions include use of a walker.
She communicates with a letter board and is social media savvy on her Ipad. She keeps in touch with family and friends throughout the day.
