Give Erick a Lift

Southwest Detroit's Beautification Day

Every day, Ana Camarena carries her son, Erick, 12, up the stairs of their house in SW Detroit. She gets help from the kids: her son, Diego, and niece, Gabriela. Her husband, Jorge, is usually at work when she returns home. So she parks the van close to the cement, lifts her son in his chair and pulls him up the narrow staircase.

Erick's disease is called Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder so rare that, according to the Angelman Foundation website, it only affects one out of 10,000 to 20,000 children. Angelman's a fitting name. Southwest Solutions Communication Manager Steve Palackdharry says, "Part of this syndrome is that you are happy all the time but unable to react to anything emotional. You have a constant smile on your face, but there's a disconnect with external stimuli." Erick, who has the mentality of a nine-month-old child, has also lost his ability to walk.

But this isn't a sad story — it's a chance for you to help give the Camarena family a leg up, so to speak. See, Erick Camarena is part of the developmental disability program run by the nonprofit Southwest Solutions. In this neighborhood, in the shadow of the Ambassador Bridge, they help with everything from senior housing to adult therapy to community projects. The Camarena's therapist at Southwest Solutions, Orlando Villegas, heard about their problem, and wanted to help.

On Saturday, June 5, friends of Southwest Solutions and over 50 different organizations will meet at the Mexicantown Mercado on Bagley at 8 a.m., before the sun gets too hot. For five hours, people will give their time and effort — clearing shrubs, planting perennials, covering graffiti, mural painting and creating a community garden. And some volunteers will head over to the Camarena family's house. Jorge Camarena, husband of Ana, will be outside, along with contractors who are donating their time and expertise. Thanks to Southwest Solutions, the neighborhood will build this family a wheelchair ramp.

It's help the Camarenas could use. "The family only speaks Spanish," Palackdharry says. "They've lived in the house for 11 years. They are buying it, and have done a lot of wonderful things with their home. They're a real asset to the block." Erick's mother, Ana, says: "This is going to be a big help. Erick is growing and it is harder and harder to lift him up the stairs."

This is the fourth annual Neighborhood Beautification Day that Southwest Solutions has sponsored. The first year, 100 people came out. It's almost quadrupled since that time. "We have 300 people signed up already," Palackdharry says, "but are still encouraging people to volunteer for the event."

Many of the volunteers don't live in SW Detroit. So why bother? It's a fair question to ask."These are people that are strong advocates for the city, Palackdharry says. "To gather with people that you have this in common with, and be able to express it in doing something tangible; to see the results of what you are doing immediately — I don't think that can be underestimated." In fact, he says Neighborhood Beautification Day does as much for the volunteers as it does the neighborhood. "It kind of does a lot to bolster that camaraderie and sense of idealism that we can make a difference in the city. It's much more than just planting a flower or clearing a lot."

Take another look at that picture. If that age-old principle of helping your neighbor still resonates ... come to SW Detroit. We know Erick's family could use a hand. | RDW

Neighborhood Beautification Day • 6/5, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Meet at the Mexicantown Mercado • 2826 Bagley St., Detroit • 313.297.1371 • swsol.org