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Joe Burkhead from Paducah, Kentucky, is helping people experiencing mobility issues get around more freely. He co-founded the Reidland United Methodist Men and Friends Ramp Ministry, building handicap-accessible ramps for people’s homes, free of charge.
“They become in many ways a prisoner in their own home, so they have no way to get to doctor’s appointments, they have no way to get out to run errands”
Burkhead and his team have been building handicap-accessible ramps since 1995. So far, they’ve built about a thousand ramps, which Burkhead estimates to be between seven and eight miles of ramps built.
“Our motto is that we are the hands and feet of God,” says Burkhead. “When we put that last screw in that ramp, and to see them roll down the ramp and easily get to their car, it’s just, you can’t help but feel very satisfied, very rewarded, very warm.”
“It’s something that we have been called to do and we continue to do it week after week.” Burkhead says they plan to continue building ramps until they become physically unable to so and thanks God for blessing him and his team with the strength and the health to be able to help others.”
Burkhead says people have needs and this is a great need in the community. He invited others to consider forming a similar ministry in their community and experience what a great blessing it is to help those who are unable to help themselves.
Click our full interview below