Heights Lions Ramp up Teamwork

By Michael Bromka

Tom Dugger and Bill Deringer of the Carlsbad Heights Lions have constructed wheelchair ramps since the mid-1990s. Back then, at Pizza Inn, they discussed team building. Patrick Welch, Larry Coalson, and Israel Palma were there, too.

“What about wheelchair ramps?” someone suggested. Quick and easy to build, just the sort of do-gooder project we could manage on a Saturday.

Tom, Bill, and Jay Francis had solid carpentry skills. In time, ringers like Ken Britt and Khushroo Ghadiali pitched in. Additional carpenters like Chad Boadway and Richard Sillas joined. With minimal coaching, unskilled newbies like Lázara Reyes and Lisa Self could operate screw guns. It was fun.

“Years ago, we didn’t test means,” said Bill, adding, “99% of ramp applicants were obviously eligible.”

Yet a big step ahead came in 2023 when Lion Frankie Davis introduced Heights Lions to a statewide sponsor, nmramp.org. Founder Greg Hallstrom of Albuquerque paid a visit to show them new methods, materials, and tools.

In a Friday afternoon pre-build, they could fashion under-structural 2X4 units. The following day, they could assemble those units on site. Instead of plywood and wood glue, pretreated decking planks topped off 2X4 units mounted on 4X4s vertically footed on cinder block pavers. An ingenious vertical tool, the Quik-Drive, allows a standing worker swiftly to screw down planks.

“Lots less kneeling,” said Tom Dugger.

Best of all, the application process was now done online via nmramp.org. The statewide NGO partially or totally paid for materials. Lions provided skill and labor.

“It’s an ideal partnership,” said Bill Deringer.

This weekend’s ramp went up at the Jewel Street home of grandparents Priscilla and Larry Methola. Recovering from a stroke, Larry can take some footsteps on the level. Getting down from his porch requires a wheelchair and ramp.

Prior to any need with foresight as their 60s approached, they had installed a side ramp—discreet, concrete, but way too steep. Priscilla alone couldn’t safely haul tall Larry in the chair. When adult daughters Bianca and Ashley (who live nearby) are home, two women together could push Larry’s wheelchair up the steep ascent. Either of their husbands alone can manage, and likewise grandson, Nate, who’s a teenage moose.

But adult daughter Bianca said, “When Mom’s here alone, she won’t wait.” Once, on an attempted ascent, she backslid off the ramp’s side. Larry was unscathed, but Priscilla hurt her leg. Then she learned of nmramp.org.

On Friday, buying and loading lumber at Lowe’s took an hour for Heights Lions Tom, Bill, Rick Wiedenmann, and Michael Bromka. After the Lions weekly meeting at the Stevens, Lions Bernie Sanchez and Richard Sillas joined them on Jewel Street to pre-build three 2X4 units.

At 8 a.m. Saturday at Denny’s, they reunited for breakfast with Lions Lázara Reyes and Vishal Kholwadwala, plus Hobbs-based Danny Palmer, a paid employee of nmramp.org. Although Danny arrived to advise, Tom Dugger was crew foreman.

There was a joyful mood on site. Danny urged hands-on Tom to delegate, delegate. Richard and Bill were there with skills, while all others could carry lumber, pre-position planks, and hold stuff steady.

Tom tolerated non-job banter and photos. He needed to be reminded that, as foreman, he had many more pairs of hands than his own. “Voice your directives, and they will be done.” By 2 p.m., Bernie was sanding the installed handrails.

Priscilla Methola was away managing Carlsbad Medical Center’s pharmacy, where she’s worked for more than a quarter century. Her adult daughter Bianca, with Larry, her dad, spoke for the grateful family.

“This will be life-changing for us, especially Mom. When she’s unassisted, she won’t have to wait. The new wheelchair ramp will set them free.”