A Gardendale real estate office is helping make life better for a paralyzed missionary.

Keller Williams Realty offices across the country close one day in May every year to celebrate Renew, Energize and Donate (RED) Day; on RED Day, each office chooses a community service project and dedicates the day to volunteer work.

The Gardendale Keller Williams Office chose to help Lawana Gowins, a Mt. Olive woman that was rendered a quadripalegic after a devastating automobile crash during a 1979 mission trip in New Mexico. Gowins was able to use a wheelchair and was fairly independent until 2004, when she developed a respiratory distress. To treat the condition, doctors had to perform an emergency tracheotomy; she now has to be on a ventilator to help her breathe at all times. Shortly afterwards, Gowins lapsed into a coma for several months, during which her hands contracted backwards, twisting the bones inside them.

Gowins is alert and coherent, but requires physical assistance around the clock. She is aided almost exclusively by her sister, Val, who had to quit her job to take care of Gowins.

Keller Williams agent Karen Dunn said the office first became aware of Gowins and her sister through a “help wanted” classified ad in the North Jefferson News: “1974 graduate of MJHS injured in vehicle accident on mission trip; quadriplegic on ventilator needs volunteer help to relieve family.” Some of the Keller Williams employees investigated the ad and learned the sisters’ story.

“I am thankful for everyone that joined in to help,” said Gowins. “I wish I could be the one helping everyone else.”

Although RED Day technically ended on Thursday, the office is spending some extra time to tackle a number of projects at the Gowins home. One of the most notable improvements is a sunroom that will be added to the back of the house. All of the building materials, including windows and lumber, have been donated by local businesses. Local professionals such as framers and electricians have also donated their time and services to the project.

“The front door doesn’t even have steps. It’s just a five foot drop from the door to the ground. So, that’s one of the things we’re trying to build,” said Dunn.

Keller Williams also pressure washed the house and is planning to plant a small garden for the house; before they could do that, though, they had to clean up a large amount of overgrown brush.

“You should have seen all this before we got here,” said Dunn. “We hauled away a ton of brush.”

One gesture Gowins said she was especially moved by was the donation of several hand-drawn and hand-painted pictures of horses (Gowins’ favorite animal) by Tabernacle Christian School art students. Tabernacle art students also helped with last year’s RED Day, when Keller Williams painted Miracle Field in Gardendale.

“We appreciate what all they’re doing,” said Val, with tears in her eyes. “They have no idea what this means to us.”

Gowins said the biggest thing she needs is qualified persons to stay with her so that Val can take a break. Val often sleeps in a small twin bed in the same room with Gowins so that she can watch after her. On some weekends, she goes to a trailer next door as a sort of “vacation,” but must stay close in case Gowins needs her.

“People don’t have to be a nurse to be qualified. It just takes some training so that they’ll know how to attend to her needs,” said Gowins’ pastor, Larry Smith. Smith pastors at Mt. Olive Alliance Church on McCravy Lane in Mt. Olive. He said the church has a special fund set up for Gowins, and anyone who wishes to volunteer or respond to any of her needs can contact the church at 631-9337; volunteers or donors can also call the Gowins house at 631-8559 (afternoons and evenings are the best time to call).