Handicapped-Accessible Home Built for Local Resident

By Pam Robinson.

A home designed to accommodate the needs of a young man with Duchenne  Muscular Dystrophy  officially opened its doors Wednesday in Centerport.

A crowd of volunteers, builders, political officials and well-wishers applauded as a ribbon was cut to welcome Dylan Thompson to the handicap-accessible house on Mayflower Court.

Through the efforts of Dylan's Footprint, several donors and organizations worked to make the new home a reality where Thompson can easily maneuver his wheelchair. Volunteers from Footprint and Building Hope for Long Island Foundation took on the project, and construction on the new home began in June,demolishing the previous where Thompson, a Harborfields High School graduate, lived.  The new home, in addition to have wider spaces, is also 
energy efficient.

Friends and relatives thanked several individuals and organizations for the efforts, including the Town of Huntington, which waived fees and expedited permits so the home could be completed more quickly.

Thompson, 19,  was pleased with the new home and said the extra-wide spaces would make his life easier. "I love it," he said. "It's very big for me. I can have my independence." 

He will move in on Thursday.

Town Supervisor Frank Petrone, who attended the event with Town Board member Mark Cuthbertson, said the community had rallied to support Thompson. "It shows how a community can come together once you identify a need," Petrone said. "He has the largest family in Huntington."