People Working Cooperatively helps families with disabilities

CINCINNATI - Put a marker in Zaire Dixon's hand, and watch his creativity flow onto paper.

His favorite drawings include people and creating icons out of words.

Like any 10-year-old, his dreams of the future are full of hope and anticipation.

If only his body would cooperate.

Zaire has a condition called PFFD, or  Proximal Femoral Focal Disorder, which is a rare birth defect that affects the hip and femur bones.

A recent surgery has put this energetic kid in an uncomfortable brace.

He's supposed to get around in a wheel chair, but the Dixon's home isn't handicapped accessible.

"Right now, I currently get Zaire back and forth...on my back," says his mother, Latoya Dixon.

As he grows, that's not something she will be able to do for much longer.

People Working Cooperatively is a nonprofit organization best known for maintenance and weatherization repairs for low income homeowners.

The Dixons were surprised to find they also help families with accessibility issues. And their home has a lot of them.

John Hay oversees PWC's Modification for Mobility program.

He says the organization plans to install a wheelchair ramp to the front of the Dixon's Madisonville home, then go to work on the bathroom.

"For a wheelchair, it's going to have to be wider," he says, pointing at the narrow rest room doorway.

Then they will replace the bathtub with a walk-in shower, install a higher commode, and replace the sink with a narrower basin for easier access.

PWC volunteers will also repair the Dixon's leaky roof.

All of the work is being done at no cost to the Dixon's, but that's not to say that any of this comes cheap.

PWC channels thousands of dollars in cash donations as well as goods and services from the community to to help low income families struggling with disabilities to stay in their homes.

Most of the money for these projects come from their annual gala fundraiser, Oscar Night America, this Sunday, Feb. 27.

The event is one of only 50 officially sanctioned Oscar parties in the United States.

Tickets are still available for $150 each.

The evening starts at the Hilton Omni Netherland Plaza at  5:30pm with red carpet, cocktails, gourmet dinner and entertainment.

And, of course, the Academy Awards live on the big screen.

The five star event allows families like the Dixons to keep their homes and their dignity.

"This is a win-win scenario," says Jock Pitts, President and CEO of PWC. "The community benefits, the homeowners benefit and PWC sees that as... a wonderful way to contribute to the community."

Perhaps Zaire's father, Joe Dixon sums it up best: "They perform a lot of essential miracles for a lot of people."

For more information, go to http://www.pwchomerepairs.org/ohio.aspx .