By Andrew Martins
Staff Writer
JACKSON – Jane and Dan Romanelli were amazed by the outpouring of support they recently received from members of the Jackson Police Department and other organizations who donated time and labor to help improve the quality of their son’s life.
“It took me right off my feet. We never imagined this was going to happen,” Jane Romanelli said. “They have changed our whole life … so much for the better.”
The last four years have been difficult for the couple. Their son, Patrick, 31, was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth when he was 8. The disorder damages the nerves in a person’s arms and legs.
For the past four years, Patrick had been confined to his bedroom after the condition left him unable to walk. His parents sought ways to help Patrick get around, but the options were too expensive.
“The only way for me to get out of my house was to be carried out on a stair chair,” Patrick said. “I couldn’t do anything, I was confined to my room.”
The couple tried contacting several organizations seeking assistance, but had no luck and were beginning to lose hope.
The situation remained static until one day earlier this year when Jackson Police Officer Mike Grochowski responded to a call at the Romanelli home. After learning about Patrick’s situation and the family’s need for assistance, Grochowski approached his fellow officers and Jackson PBA, Local 168, to begin working toward a solution.
“Plans were drawn up and permits were obtained to build a ramp at the family’s residence to help Patrick get in and out of the house without having to be lifted and carried,” Jackson Police Capt. Steven Laskiewicz said.
With funding provided by the PBA and Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, Local 86, and the design and permits obtained by Officer Kevin Chesney, work began to build a ramp at the Romanellis’ home.
Police Officers Ralph Seda, Steve Scaglione, Mike Grochowski, Mike Bollard, Shannon Foote, Tristan Bennett, Anthony Riso, Phil Minissale, Mike Basso, Cherrick Daniels, Keith French, Sgt. Frank Mendez and recently retired officer Billy Campbell worked during their off-duty hours to construct a new front porch with wheelchair ramps at the entrance to the residence.
Members of Fire District No. 3 (Station 55, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1) and local emergency medical technicians pitched in to help build the ramp. Guy Emmons donated time and equipment to level the property.
Because Dan Romanelli is a U.S. Army veteran, the Veterans Community Alliance provided funding to pay for metal wheelchair ramps that attach to the outdoor decks.
“The [people who helped] truly go beyond the call of duty,” Dan said. “What they have done for my family is just amazing. We don’t know how to thank them enough.”
Executive Landscaping provided landscaping at no cost for the front of the property. Wawa donated coffee and Pezzolanti’s donated subs and salads to feed those who came to build the improvements.
While work was being done outside the house, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 arranged for a company to install a chair lift for two sets of stairs inside the home. All of the work was done while Patrick was in the hospital with a bout of pneumonia. The project was to be a complete surprise.
“I got home and honestly, I cried like a baby because to see what was going on and for my mom and dad to keep it a secret, it was wonderful,” he said. “To come home and see what (the volunteers) had done, I just didn’t know what to say to them.”
With the improvements complete, Patrick can now move around the house and that, he said, has helped his relationship with his family.
“This got me to a point where I have a closer relationship with my family because I can be with them all the time,” he said. “Before, I was stuck and I could not do that.”
Jane said Patrick is now able to leave the house to visit his friends.
“The quality of life and independence (the volunteers who constructed the improvements) have given to him has been amazing,” she said. “He goes out on the weekends now and spends time with friends he has not seen in a long time. This just gave him a whole new quality of life.”