Community makes home wheelchair-accessible for teen paralyzed in car accident

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DeJuan Hoggard Image
Tuesday, January 28, 2020

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Nate Clifton has been in the hospital since January 2 when he was involved in a serious car accident.

The accident sent Clifton to the hospital where he would later learn he was paralyzed as a result of his injuries. He spent several days in WakeMed's intensive care unit before being transferred out due to his progress.

"He is doing incredible! He is one strong young man. He is taking it day by day and he goes stronger and more dedicated everyday," said Nate's mother Susan Clifton. "I don't think I could ever be that strong."

With his new challenges, family friends took time out of their day on January 25 to renovate the Clifton home and make it wheelchair-accessible for Nate.

"No words can explain how grateful we are for what GOD is doing through these warriors! Thank you all for doing this for us," said Nate's father, Leon in the Facebook post.

The group returned on January 26 to continue remodeling the home, which now includes a wheelchair ramp that wasn't there beforehand.

"Today was another productive day at the Clifton's! Still not finished but we are closer than we were," said one of the men who worked on the home.

A GoFundMe was established to help with expenses and is nearing its $10,000 goal.

"It's amazing! God's warriors are working. To see the community come together for us and to provide. God providing for us in this way, it's overwhelming to know you can see God's work happening," said Leon Clifton. "But to see the people come together for one purpose. Not to get anything out of it but to enjoy that they were able to do this."

Nate's parents have spoken to him about the plans but he's not seen any pictures.

"He's gonna be pretty excited," said father Leon. "To know that he's gonna have that flexibility and freedom to come and go as he needs. That's what he's gonna need as he goes and continues on his journey that he's not confined. He's gonna be able to get out and about and do things he would do in normal life . He just has to adapt and overcome. And this is one way to do it."