Video: Paraplegic Woman and Family Get The Home They Deserve

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Imagine being in a wheelchair and trying to get around a house that’s not handicap accessible.

That’s the nightmare one young Columbus woman and her family have been struggling with for several years.

But all of that changed when Habitat for Humanity dedicated a new home to them.

It’s something Mercetia Parr has dreamed about for a long time. Ever since her life drastically changed 5 years ago.

“I had a car wreck when I was a junior in high school. This 75-year-old man ran a stop sign and caused us to run into the pole outside the gas station and I broke my neck. And I was paralyzed from the waistline down. And I gained everything back but my legs and my hands and stuff like that,” says Mercetia Parr.

The accident made it hard for Merceita to get around her house. But thanks to Habitat for Humanity, things are finally looking up.

“Now that we’re about to move in it’s really hit me. I’m very excited and probably a little emotional cause I’m very happy,” says Mercetia.

The house is specially made to meet Merceita’s needs. Mercetia’s mother, Doris, is happy her new home with make life easier for her daughter.

“I had to tote her back and forth to the bathroom. The doors were a little too small for her to enter everyone’s bathroom. So this house she’s able to go into everybody’s bathroom! And anybody’s bedroom that she wants to go in!! Anybody’s closet to put all her shoes in but it’s going to be more convenient for her,” Says Doris.

Merceita says she’s truly thankful to Habitat and the countless volunteers who helped change her life.

“Thanks for helping me build this house. Thanks for helping me be more independent. The things that I thought was impossible, thanks for making it possible,” says Merceita.

The Parr family says they plan on moving into their new home sometime next week. Mercetia says she wants to give back and looks forwawrd to helpign build houses for other families in the future.