SAYREVILLE — A Metuchen construction company is helping a young girl get the resources she needs to continue living at home with her family.
Alise Strawhand, also referred to as Lisie, nearly died after falling into a goldfish pond in her backyard at the age of 1 in 2009. Doctors said her chance of survival was less than 1 percent, but she has continued to beat the odds.
Five years later, she still faces many medical complications and needs intensive daily care.
George Dale, owner and managing partner of MacDonald & O’Farrell Contracting in Metuchen, learned about Alise’s need for bathroom facilities that could better accommodate her needs — and he felt compelled to help.
“This new bathroom will help the parents to better care for her and make their lives a little bit easier,” he said.
Dale said his friend Douglas Woodruff — a plumber from Plumb-Rite in Edison, who was already helping Alise’s father, Fred, with the project — asked Dale if he could assist. Dale said he went to meet Alise and her parents, and it wound up being a short trip — the family lives on the next street from him.
Dale learned that Fred had already done some research and procured some materials for the project, but Fred expected to have limited resources available for assistance. He said Fred was grateful for the support.
“The remodel of the bathroom is a godsend,” Fred said. “Since she has grown so much, it has been very difficult to bathe her lately, which will soon be a thing of the past.”
Dale said the project, which called for a complete gutting of the existing bathroom, is about halfway done. The team has been working for about a month.
Dale said his company was a good fit for assisting with the project.
“We have a lot of experience in [Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant] bathrooms through the commercial work that we do,” he said.
Dale and his partner, Erin Page, are serving as general contractors for the project. They are coordinating the subcontractors and handing all necessary inspections, he said. Subcontractors who have been donating their time and expertise include architect Mark Marcille of Metuchen; Dion Nunez, A.N. Electric, Bayonne; Ed Iarrapino, First Choice Heat and Cooling, Metuchen; John Bender from Iselin Home Improvement Center, Iselin; and Patti Caine, Kitchen Dimensions Inc. of Sayreville.
Dale said this is the first time he has ever done a pro bono project like this, but he would “definitely want to do it again.”
“Everybody felt for the girl,” he said of Alise.
Dale said the experience has had quite an impact on him.
“It’s such a sad situation,” he said. “I can’t stress how … it really puts things in perspective for you.”
Fred said he gives special thanks to the South Amboy Elks Motorcycle Club, Home Depot of Woodbridge, Maxsam Tile of East Brunswick and the Cabinet Shop of Old Bridge.
“Lisie has had a long hard trip in her short life, but she is a tough little girl who keeps trudging on,” he said.
The family brought Alise to Texas to participate in a study by a group of doctors doing research on children who nearly drowned.
“It is very difficult traveling with Lisie because of her equipment, but our concerns were not a problem since she took everything in stride,” Fred said. “Even the plane trips were fine, since I was able to lay down across the seats and hold her in my arms, where she was able to sleep most of the way. While we were in San Antonio, we had the opportunity to visit the only specialneeds amusement park in the country, and she had a great time.”
The family has also brought Alise to Canada for therapy training. She is now in school five days a week and is able to interact with other children.
“Little Lisie and all of us have traveled a long road and will continue with all of our hearts and strength to work towards her recovery from what has been dealt to her during her short time on Earth,” Fred said. “It has taken a toll on all of us mentally, physically and financially, [but] it has all been worth seeing her come from the doctors’ prognosis of having little chance of survival from the accident. …”
She has progressed beyond expectations by being able to roll, sit with assistance and move her limbs. The family said she loves music and animal sounds, and is able to communicate in her own way.
Donations toward Alise’s care can be sent to Fred Strawhand, 17 Fourth St., Sayreville, NJ 08872.