Amramp of Connecticut brightens teens’ holiday spirits

Amramp ramps bring the gift of easy mobility to two Connecticut teens in need

16 year-old Jonathan Gionfriddo of Stafford Springs, Connecticut was born with a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa; as a result, he needs a wheelchair and has a life expectancy of only 20-30 years. Each day is a struggle for him to navigate successfully.

Bob Danek of Connecticut/Eastern New York Amramp first became aware of Jonathan’s situation while driving to work one day, when a local radio station program was raiding money to purchase a ramp for the boy’s home. When Bob heard that, he knew he had the perfect opportunity to provide help — it was the same spirit of giving that recently moved Doug Draeger of Amramp Western Michigan to provide a ramp for India Williams.

Bob first got in touch with the radio station, then Jonathan’s mother, then the fundraiser organizer, and finally the construction company spearheading the build of a deck and wooden ramp on the trailer where Jonathan lives. Because Jonathan’s home is a rental, the landlord wanted as few modifications to the structure as possible. Bob described the Amramp alternative: a modular, steel weatherproof ramp that could be installed and removed within hours. Once the contractors, Garsan Construction, heard that there are no building permits required for Amramp ramps and that no concrete pouring would be necessary, they were immediately on board with Bob’s idea.

Bob went for a site visit on a Saturday in mid-December to take measurements and returned the next day to install the ramp: a perfect Christmas present for Jonathan, who is thrilled with his brand-new deck and Amramp ramp to get him through snowy New England winters.

“He tried out the ramp with a big smile on his face, going up and down easily,” says Bob.

Jonathan wasn’t the only one to enjoy a brand new ramp from Amramp CT/Eastern NY; although Bob only started with Amramp in September, he has already had a successful season and an excellent response in the local market.

Shortly after Jonathan’s installation, he went to perform a site inspection at the home of a girl named Mallory, a teen who became paralyzed a year prior when she was thrown from a horse. Mallory’s family could not afford a ramp, but a friend decided to loan Mallory a section her own Amramp ramp to use. Bob saw that removing that piece would compromise the original ramp, and thought, “This won’t do.”

He provided a small ramp to Mallory and her family that fits perfectly in their garage. Mallory is ecstatic and has messaged Bob multiple times to let him know how much she loves her new ramp.

Amramp is proud of our franchisees for giving back to local communities!