by Dalia M. Mousa
Northeast Florida Builders Association Builders Care wants to help bright-eyed 15-year-old Kayla Tiencken live a normal life. She needs wheelchair ramps, a leveled floor and a handicapped accessible bathroom. Kayla's mother, Kristy Tiencken has portable aluminum ramps that she moves around every time Kayla needs to get from room to room, but these are sometimes dangerous and difficult for her. The portable ramps are not safe because they slide, and there have been many times where she has fallen. The floors also need to be leveled so she can get around her house. A handicapped accessible bathroom is also a necessity. Kayla cannot fit her wheelchair into the bathroom so the wheels have to be removed every time she needs to get in there.

Kayla excelled in school, was a talented gymnast, played soccer and flag football. Kayla did everything a normal teenager did. Then one morning in class last year, all that changed.

Kayla stood up from her desk because her back was burning. One of her legs then went numb. She walked out of class and then collapsed because she could not feel her legs. Rushed to the hospital, doctors ran tests but were baffled as to why this was happening to a healthy 15-year-old. Doctors did a spinal tap test while she was sleeping. They tapped Kayla' s spine four times and she did not wake up. Kayla could not feel it.

"It has been scary at times. It has been difficult for me because I was so active and now I am stuck in a wheelchair," said Kayla.

Doctors gave Kayla three different diagnoses, but are still running test so they can solve this mysterious case. Doctors think that she had a spinal cord stroke. Everyone had hoped that she would walk again, but after three months, and still no improvement her family decided to make some life altering decisions.

"As a mom, the dreams I had planned for my baby girl shattered after this happened," said Kayla's mom, Kristina Tiencken. "She is my proud and joy. It kills me to know that she is going to have to rely on someone for the rest of her life."

Kayla's mom lost her job because she had to stay home with her daughter. She cannot financially make the renovations on her own. Kayla's mom has to be with her all the time because it is dangerous to leave her alone. She needs help going to the bathroom and getting from room to room because the house they live in is not suited for someone in Kayla's condition.

Builders Care wants to help Kayla have a somewhat normal life again and with funding they can do it. Kayla is a teenager. She wants to do everything girls her age do, but simply cannot do it because of her needs. Help Kayla live again.

Builders Care renovates homes of the disabled so their needs can be met. Email info@builderscare.org to learn more about donation and volunteer opportunities or phone (904) 727-3443.