A CHRONICALLY-ill young woman’s life has been changed for the better thanks to DIY SOS and the help of a local timber company.
Chloe Print-Lambert suffers from chronic conditions Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Mastocytosis which have left her needing constant access to oxygen, to be fed through a tube in her chest and prone to seizures which cause her joints to dislocate and stop her breathing.
The 21 year-old was faced with moving out of the family home to cope with her complex medical needs.
But after her plight was highlighted by the Observer and consequently national press, she was approached to appear on BBC One show DIY SOS.
Despite being from Bidford, companies from across the region rallied to help Chloe.
They included Coventry-based Bates Timber, who supplied nearly £2,000 worth of wood to help build the roof.
Founder Pete Bates told the Observer: “I found out about the build through a friend who is a roofing contractor. Of course I wanted to help. It was for a great cause and you never know when you might be in their position and need help yourself. “
Pete said in the 25 years he has been in business, helping out Chloe was one of the best things he has done.
And driver Steve Ardiss agreed – as on one of the deliveries he met Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen who was designing the project.
Chloe says the build has completely transformed her life, allowing her to move around the house instead of being confined to one room.
She said: “I was trapped in one room before which left little to no room to try and do things independently. Now I can push my boundaries knowing I’m in a safe space to do so.
“I can access the whole of the downstairs which means I can do normal things like cooking meals and seeing guests in a social way rather than them sitting at my bedside. This has been a huge boost to my self-esteem.
“My annex feels my own and gives me the independence any 21 year-old needs.”
She said: “To all that helped in any way to transform our house back into a home, I am still eternally grateful for your kindness. Each day I think how amazing it is to have been given this chance, you have restored some normality back into our lives that my illness snatched away and that’s huge for us.”
The show airs on Wednesday (March 22) on BBC One at 9pm.
Chloe’s thank you poem:
I tried to find words but they just wouldn’t do,
To share our thanks for each and everyone of you.
Instead I will try and keep it brief,
By saying the love I feel is beyond belief.
Our lies were turned upside down,
We were left on a rollercoaster often wearing a frown.
This time in a our lives is just hard to believe,
But as an army of supporters you’ve provided help and relief.
Our house is now once again a home,
through old friends and new Its clear were never alone.
Please take it from me that when times are troubled,
Reach out for help as its often doubled.
So I shall say it again from the bottom of my heart,
Thank you for giving us a brand new start.
