Members of Freedom by Design, a program associated with the organization American Institute of Architecture Students, are hosting a sloppy joe feed and bake sale Saturday, May 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eid Center at Oak Grove School in Fargo.
The students hope to raise about $14,000 to help them renovate Carmon “Corky” Titus’ kitchen into a wheelchair accessible space. Last February, students met with Titus and practicing professionals to start designing the kitchen. They will begin the renovation in the fall, which will include reconfiguring the floor plan, lowering work surfaces and replacing cabinetry and appliances. Last fall, they helped design and build a deck for Titus.
Eight years ago, Titus, 63, was diagnosed with idiopathic peripheral polyneuropathy, a disease that causes nerves within feet, legs, hands, arms and trunk to malfunction. Titus has no feeling from his elbows to his fingertips and from below his knees to his toes. Titus attributes the mobility he has left to members of Freedom By Design. “I never found a wall I couldn’t get through. Never found an obstacle in front of me that I couldn’t get past. All I really have left is my freedom, and it is because of you guys [the students], your willingness to be here and your willingness to do what you’re doing,” Titus said.
Freedom By Design is a community service program that empowers students and gives them the opportunity to apply their skills to a full-scale project through design and construction solutions. The goal of the organization is to help individuals with physical, mental and financial challenges live independently in their own homes.
Members of Freedom By Design were awarded recently Overall Program of the Year at the Bison Leader Awards.
For more information, go to
web.me.com/ndsuaias/ndsuAIAS/Freedom_by_Design.html.