Airdrie girls with Friedreich's ataxia see custom-built home for 1st time

AnAirdrie mother and her two girlsgot their first look at their new homewhich has beenrenovatedby a team ofvolunteers to make life easier for the youngsters.ShannaLeavitt'sdaughters have Friedreich'sataxia, a rare genetic disease that deteriorates their muscles and will eventually leave them both using wheelchairs.

The girls,Kadence and Addison Foley, try out their newlift for the very first time.

Everything in the home like thisbathroom has been made accessible for the youngsters.The $300,000 worth of renovations were paid for through fundraising, donations and thousands of volunteer hours from all kinds of tradespeople.

"I'mreally happy.My room is the best part [but] I like all of it," said 12-year-old Kadence.It took 111 days to do the renovation, with 73 different companies donating time and materials.

The bungalow was purchased by an anonymous donor last November.Leavitt has now sold her current home and will take over the mortgage of this new home.

Reno organizer Michelle Carre says the house was taken down to the studs and built back up. In addition to some 300 volunteers, 40 gallons of paint, hundred and hundreds of tiles, there was also"lots of coffee [and] afew bottles of wine," she said.

The group will continue to fundraise to help pay for therapies to relieve pain and help keep the girls mobile. The disease is progressive and also affects the eyes and the heart.There is no cure.