A Ramp to Freedom: Ann’s Story
In just 17 days, Tree Trust Landscape Services client Ann’s life changed forever. A sudden illness left her without both lower legs and her right thumb. She also suffered a stroke. “One day I was up and moving around, and the next day I was fighting for my life,” she recalled. After seven long months in the hospital, her greatest wish was simple: to go home. But there was one problem—her home didn’t have a ramp.
“I couldn’t leave until they actually had a ramp going into my house,” Ann shared. That’s when Tree Trust’s Landscape Services team stepped in. Fourteen years ago, we built Ann her first accessibility ramp—her ticket home after her illness . This year, we returned to replace her aging ramp with a brand new one, making sure she can keep living independently in the home she loves.
The Ramp That Changed Everything
For Ann, her ramp is more than wood and nails; it’s her lifeline. “Without the ramp, I can’t go anywhere,” she said. “It’s built with a gradual slope, so I can easily use it with my manual wheelchair. It wraps from our side door all the way around the back to our driveway. It’s long, and it even creates a porch area.”
The ramp didn’t just give Ann freedom; it gave her inspiration. Along its length, she’s planted a perennial garden bursting with Minnesota native plants: Siberian iris, peonies, phlox, hydrangeas, hostas, tiger lilies, sedum, and more. Every spring, the flowers bloom along the ramp, welcoming her outside. “[Just] like somebody needs oxygen to breathe,” she explained, “I need a ramp to live.”
Independence Through an Accessibility Ramp
One of the first things the ramp allowed Ann to do after coming home was leave the house to go to the movies, a milestone of independence. Since then, her ramp has supported countless daily activities and joyful moments. Working with the Tree Trust Landscape Services team again made the ramp construction even more special. “They were great—fun, nice, and so professional,” she said. “They even polished the oak handrails until they were smooth, so no one would get splinters.”
Why an Accessibility Ramp Means Freedom
When asked what her ramp means to her, Ann didn’t hesitate: “Freedom.” She encourages anyone considering Tree Trust Landscape Services to build a ramp to take the leap, especially with grants available for eligible residents to help offset the cost. “Do it. Just do it. Of all the things people with disabilities must apply for, this is so easy, and such a gift. I don’t know anyone else who has a program like this in their city.”
Thanks to her ramp, Ann not only regained her independence, but also kept doing what she loves—gardening, connecting with nature, and creating a home she cherishes. She is even considering adding milkweed to her garden to support monarch butterflies, joining the effort to protect pollinators. “I’m okay with what I’ve got,” she added with a smile in her voice. “But as a gardener, I’ll always want to plant a thousand more things.” Thanks to her Tree Trust ramp, she can!
If you or someone you know could benefit from an accessibility ramp, contact our Landscape Services team today.
