AMBUCS Ramp Building
McLean County Diversity Project c/o Jeffrey A. Schwartz PO Box 58 Downs, IL 61736
Bill McHie of AMBUCS describes the ramp building process:
What makes you smile? What makes you proud? If someone was to describe you, what would they say about you? Are you planning to make a difference in this world, and what kind of legacy are you going to leave for the next generation?
Those questions might sound overwhelming, and you may not even be thinking about "what kind of legacy" you will leave if you are still in junior high school.
Let me tell you why I have been building ramps for the past 20 years. I'm Bill McHie--a husband, a father, a counselor, a sign-language interpreter, an eagle scout, a church member. I could go on and on, but you may know me as the "ramp guy" with AMBUCS. I got involved with the local AMBUCS club over 20 years ago, looking for a way to help my community. I didn't want to join a club to sit through meetings and talk about stuff. I wanted to do something and really make a difference. Since I work with people with disabilities in my profession, building ramps seemed like a good idea.
I remember how I felt after completing a ramp for an elderly woman over 20 years ago. She watched patiently from the living room window, and when we were done she wanted to come out and personally thank us for what we had done. I still remember that "maiden voyage" down her new ramp, with tears of happiness in her eyes. That was it! I didn't do anything extraordinary. I didn't do it all myself. I didn't work all day long. I just helped.
Twenty years later, I still get that same feeling working alongside our volunteers. The youth from the Diversity Project have been great! They have given me a new sense of hope that these projects will continue well into the future and that our youth today really do care about others. I hope they will cherish the experience they have in meeting the ramp recipients, working alongside other youth and adults, and getting a first-hand look at some of the challenges that people with disabilities face every day. I see kids smiling and even laughing along with us. I see pride in their faces, especially in the picture after we're done building the ramp. I believe they are making a difference in our world--one ramp at a time.
If you have a smile on your face after reading this, can you imagine the smiles on the many faces of our ramp recipients! I'm proud to work alongside our students. I know we are leaving an impression that will be remembered for a long time, and that's a legacy I want to leave for the next generation.
So, what are you going to do? Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to join me? I'll be at the ramps--smiling. Hope to see you there!
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