Because of the efforts of many individuals and organizations within Kosciusko County, Cami Phillips, 8, now has a room she can live in with comfort.

Cami, who was born with cerebral palsy, must rely on a wheelchair due to her physical limitations. She's experienced epileptic seizures and is legally blind, but through all her hardships, Cami is rarely seen without a smile on her face.

And after a year and half of help from various workers and donations throughout the surrounding communities, she now has even more to smile about.

"We've had so many people that have been good to us," Amy Phillips, Cami's mother, said. "There's a big heart out there. People are always trying to help others."

Amy and Tony Phillips adopted Cami at birth knowing of her medical situation. At the time, they had constructed a two-story home and assisted their daughter through day-to-day routines

But as Cami grew older, her parents felt she should have the independence of mobility inside the house. Their goal was to find a way of transporting her wheelchair up a set of stairs at the entrance of their home.

Initially, they looked into constructing a chairlift for Cami, but by Christmas, they had much more than they ever anticipated.

What began as a fundraising breakfast evolved into a addition to the Phillips' home, courtesy of the Kosciusko Builders Association and Lakeland Kiwanis Club.

Cami now has her own bedroom, therapy area, bathroom and closet, all of which is handicap accessible. Widened doors grant enough space to allow Cami to move from room to room on her own, and soon outside ramps will give her the ability to bring her wheelchair into the house with little effort.

For the past 16 months, the Builders Association assigned its members to different aspects of the project. Construction companies provided materials at reduced costs and volunteers worked to build the addition with no charge to the family.

"It was an opportunity you can't say no to," Jeff Hamman, Builders Association director, said. "Cami is such a sweet girl, who could say no?

"I had the time of my life working on this project. I really enjoyed working with the Phillipses and everybody else that was involved."

Tony also said Jim Redslob, of the Lakeland Kiwanis, was a huge factor in helping organize the construction. Redslob was the first to contact the Builders Association, and scheduled a time for Tony to speak in front of its members about the family's situation.

"It's given me goosebumps to be part of it all," Redslob said. "I was the guy in the right place at the right time, and my paycheck for the whole thing was getting to see Cami smile."

The Phillipses have been able to afford the new room through donations. The newly installed handicap items, ranging from closet storage to a specialized showering area, were equipment the family wanted to provide for Cami, but never had the financial means. An account is still open at Lake City Bank for public donations.

"All summer long, money and help kept coming in," Tony said. "And it came at a good time, because if we weren't going to find help, we were going to sell the house and find a something that would work."

With her new room and improved accessibility inside the home, Cami now enjoys the freedom to go places on her own that she never had the ability to before. Even the kitchen cabinets haven't evaded her curiosity.

"She definitely plays in her room a lot more now," Tony said.

"And she's been everywhere else too," Amy said.

Cami appeared to be delighted with her new bedroom, but decided to remain silent through much of the interview.

"She's a very intelligent girl," Amy said. "It's just getting her to tell us what she knows."

But her smile says it all. [[In-content Ad]]