New Home, New Friendship
Curtis Cordwell did not let a paralyzing stroke stop him from doing the "good Samaritan" kind of work he was used to doing. What started as a wheelchair ramp project turned into building a new house for a man in much greater need than he.
We were there in Ooltewah Wednesday when Cordwell and a group of other people who made it all happen shouted "welcome home Tommy!"
Tommy Biggs was checking out his brand new house with brand new furniture, something he still can not believe happened. Biggs gets around in a wheelchair ever since he lost part of a leg to diabetes last year.
There are still a few touch ups needed - some paint, some caulk and some trim to finish. But by the end of the day most of the work was done.
It was Cordwell who made it all happen. He is still feeling some paralysis in his arm after a stroke last March. During the first week in the hospital Cordwell was paralyzed but quickly started walking again and he regained much of his abilities. Cordwell was able to get back to work and building wheelchair ramps for people with physical disabilities. It wasn't long before someone with the Samaritan Center told him to meet Biggs, who needed some help getting in and out of his house.
"He called and asked me if we could help Tommy out because Tommy had a leg amputated and that he needed a handicap ramp," Cordwell said.
The orginal plan began with building a ramp for Biggs. But when Cordwell got to Bigg's house he noticed it was in terrible condition.
"I said he needs something, he does not need to live here," Cordwell said. "There's no way if I could help it that I would let anybody I know or love live here."
So Cordwell offered to tear down Bigg's old, run down house of 30 years and build him a new one. Biggs thought the stranger who came knocking on his door was either joking or out to get him.
"To tell you the truth I didn't think it would ever really happen," Biggs said. "I wouldn't let myself believe it because everytime I get kicked in the teeth it hurts so bad I don't trust people no more and I stay away from them."
It took two months for Biggs to accept Cordwell's offer.
Cordwell got other friends and contractors to donate work for things like cabinets, a roof and plumbing while the Collegedale Seventh Day Adventist Church donated money.
We asked Cordwell if he considers himself a good Samaritan.
"Good Samaritan," Cordwell asked. "I don't know, I just try to do what's right, that's for sure."
Biggs now has the key to a brand new house, and a new friend.
"He's the best friend and only friend I've ever had, except for my mother," Biggs said.
