For many kids, having a treehouse is a quintessential part of growing up. From building the treehouse to having slumber parties and Nerf gun battles in it, the treehouse has come to represent the ideal childhood. Meet Hayden Trigg, a 7-year-old from Austin, Texas. He has lived his life in a wheelchair. Being diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spina bifida meant a treehouse was likely not in his future. Last year, that changed. Hayden wanted nothing more than to have his very own treehouse and a place to play with his friends and siblings. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as a local contractor, his dream of having a treehouse was realized. The Treehouse of DREAMS
You might think that home improvement projects are reserved exclusively for the warmer spring and summer months. After all, you hear all about spring cleaning and summer blowouts, but what about the other half of the year? If you’re looking to spruce up your indoor and outdoor living space for the fall, here are some good places to start. Go for the Gutter: You may not know it, but your gutter drainage system diverts thousands of gallons away from your home annually. Make sure that system is running smoothly by inspecting your gutters for leaves and other obstructions. Mind the Gaps: Don’t let all the warm air get out! Seal gaps and cracks around windows with weather-stripping and caulk to stay warm and toasty. Raise the Roof: If you’re in an area that gets heavy snow or rainfall, have your roof professionally inspected to be sure nothing comes through curled shingles or leaky vents. Dust the Filters: Don’t let last year’s dirt become this year’s problem. Clogged filters can prevent warm air from circulating properly throughout the house, so grab a dust rag and clean them out. Chim chim-er-ey: If you have a traditional fireplace, have it professionally inspected before you burn those logs. Taking precautions now will ensure you have to douse the flames for the whole season. Adjust the Outdoors: If your flower boxes have some flower remnants remaining, dig them out and replace them with heartier, winter-ready greenery. This will help add color and natural flare. Also, if you have a fire pit in the yard, give it a good cleaning. Then fill it with well-seasoned hardwood for those impromptu marshmallow roasts. Humidify Your Space: The bone-chilling winter air isn’t just bad for your health, it’s also bad for your house. Dry, cold air makes fine wood more prone to cracking, so keep up a central humidifier to balance things out. Clean Up: Most of all, you want your home to feel fresh, and you can’t do that if you’ve got the May issue of “Better Homes and Gardens” hanging around. Take a look around, and throw out all your outdated magazines and newspapers. Furthermore, go through your cleaning products, and throw out expired chemicals. Keep your heaters, furnaces, and other heating products clear of clutter. Home & Garden Fall Fixes for Your
His family found the perfect spot between two 200-year-old oak trees. Through rain and shine, Hayden eagerly watched the treehouse come together. Instead of the typical rope or wood ladder, the treehouse was designed with a 65-foot wheelchair ramp. Once complete, Hayden invited his first-grade class to the ribbon- cutting ceremony. Yes, you read that right. Hayden’s treehouse opened with a celebration complete with a ribbon cutting. With the ribbon cut, Hayden and all of his classmates played together in the new treehouse. Hayden’s mom, Adrienne Trigg, watched as her son played. “It was the best day of his life,” she said. “His wish was to share this with his friends.” The treehouse was finished earlier this year, just as school let out for the summer, and Hayden was able to spend his summer having sleepovers and parties. The best day ever turned into the best summer ever. Hayden loves his treehouse so much, he insists on doing his physical therapy there. He even practices rolling himself up the ramp with his manual wheelchair. In the past, he had struggled to travel far on his own due to low muscle tone. Now, he can roll up his treehouse ramp without a second thought.
6
Published by The Newsletter Pro . www.TheNewsletterPro.com
(888) 236-8665
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker