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Ramp puts a smile on the faces of Joe and Cindy Caprio

Jaycees to the rescue

LANA MUTHLER/THE EXPRESS Joe Caprio, with wife Cindy standing behind him, are grateful for the Jaycess for building a ramp to help Joe get in and out of the house. Also pictured, from left, are Jaycees DuWayne Kunes, Becky Fisher and Doug Wenker. Jaycee Bill Dawson, who helped with the project, is missing from the photo.

LOCK HAVEN — Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be confined to a wheel chair … depending on someone to help you do almost everything and unable to get outside?

And can you imagine how you would feel if you woke up one day and there was a safe and secure way for you to get out the back door, off the porch and into your garage?

Joe Caprio knows.

His wife Cindy has been caring for her husband and doing the best she can to get him where he needs to go, but Joe’s a pretty big guy and she found herself calling for help to get him down the steps and into the car when he had a doctor’s appointment or other outing.

Even more, it’s depressing and downright maddening at times, Joe said.

But that’s all changed.

The Lock Haven Area Jaycees came to their rescue.

Over a recent weekend, Jaycees Bill Dawson, Becky Fisher, Doug Wenker and DuWayne Kunes, built a beautiful ramp from the Caprio’s back porch to the sidewalk that leads into the family garage and “Joe’s garage” at the end of the lot where he keeps his prize possessions — a collection of antique vehicles.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Joe said, of the day he looked out and first saw the 34-foot long ramp that easily takes him in his Jazzy anywhere he wants to go outside.

He can go to either garage, go out front on the sidewalk, even take a spin around the block if that’s his desire.

Kunes said when he first talked to Joe and Cindy about building a ramp, he found Joe kinda sad, depressed and grumpy.

“When he saw the ramp, he called me and he was all happy… it was a brand new Joe. It made my day,” Kunes said, adding that’s what the Jaycees are all about — helping people in the community.

“It made my day, too,” Joe quipped, a smile erupting on his face.

“They are a class act. I never dreamed it would look like this. They did one helluva job,” Joe said as he made his way down the ramp and then back up with ease.

“I want to thank the whole organization,” he continued.

Cindy said she can’t think of enough words to say thank you to the Jaycees for making it easier for her husband to get outside, whether to get in the car in the garage for a doctor’s appointment or get to his garage to tinker around with his expensive toys.

Perhaps her friendly smile … tears welling in her eyes … said it best.

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