New Home Gives Md. Woman Second Chance At Life
ARNOLD, Md. (WJZ) -- Second chance at life. A local woman wins her battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma only to be left paralyzed. Now her fight is to find a handicap accessible affordable home.
Marcus Washington explains little did she know her search would be cut short with the help of many strangers.
It was a surprise that started with a fire truck in an Arnold neighborhood. With a press of the gas, the truck moved, revealing Melissa Smith's new home.
"I could hear lots of clicks from cameras and I could hear lots of voices. My stomach was in knots. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was awesome," she said.
The surprise comes after what Melissa calls two years of ups and downs.
After beating Hodgkin's lymphoma twice, Melissa was left with paralysis--bound to a wheelchair and making her every day living difficult when it comes to cooking, cleaning, even taking a bath.
But with this new home, her heartaches are gone.
"I can actually cook, get in the shower, clean, do dishes. I can do anything I want down there. And I haven't had that for two and a half years," she said. "It's going to completely change my life and give me back my independence."
The money to purchase and make the home wheelchair accessible came from donations from a fundraiser created by her family called "Hope for a Home," which raised $450,000 from some 12,000 people--many Melissa doesn't know.
"Yes, I'm very excited. My mind is blown," she said.
What some will say was just a simple gesture from others has a world-changing effect on the life of one woman who just wants to be able to care for herself.
"This is like a second chance at living my life," she said.
Melissa says she is excited about making holiday dinners in her home next year.
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