KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Proudly sporting her Disneyland blanket, Siseva’i Vaisau sat in the sunshine in the living room of her grandmother Susan Lemos’ Kelseyville home with her father and uncle.

She had just returned the evening before from a Make A Wish Foundation sponsored trip to Southern California where she got to visit Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm for the first time.

Not only did she meet Mary Poppins, she got to visit with relatives, some of whom she had never met. 

The five-day trip made her tired, but she was happy and smiled as those around her talk about the trip.

Like many 9 year olds, Siseva’i loves dogs and balloons, being outside on warm days and watching cartoons. She enjoys being read to and likes listening to music, especially reggae.

Unlike most children, however, Siseva’i was born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, conditions which have brought with them a host of other health challenges to her short life.

She and her father have shared their grandmother’s home for the last two years, a change that has required adjustments and accommodations be made to the home Lemos has owned for the last 10 years. 

Several organizations from around Lake County have contributed to improving the quality of life for Siseva’i and her family.

Earlier this year, Lemos turned to Habitat for Humanity for additional help.

“The deck leading into our home was so bad we worried every time we had to take Siseva’i's chair across it,” Lemos said.

Laauli, Siseva’i's father, added, “It shook so bad the whole house would shake. You always knew when someone was coming up to the door.”

Habitat for Humanity was called in to assess the situation to see if there was anything that could be done to stabilize it.

With the assistance of Siseva’i's uncle, Habitat staff rebuilt the deck and stabilized it to make it safe for Siseva’i and her chair to cross.

“We can’t thank Habitat enough for everything they’ve done,” Lemos said. “The donations given to Habitat for Humanity that made this work possible, and the workers who did it for us, have been a huge blessing.”

Habitat for Humanity Lake County feels equally blessed to have been able to help Lemos provide for the needs of her granddaughter.

Always looking for new ways to aid our community, Habitat for Humanity Lake County relies on donations from the community to offer such life-changing assistance to families within the county.

If you would like to donate to assist other in-need families, please contact Habitat for Humanity Lake County at 707-994-1100 or visit www.lakehabitat.org for more information.