Detroit Man, 18, Facing Hardship Helped

DETROIT - Paris McCurdy carried Jayveon Roberson into his new home Wednesday. The 18-year-old has Muscular Dystrophy and he did have a wheelchair until his father turned it into cash.

"My father scrapped the chair," said Roberson.  "Sold it for some money."

Roberson's father abandoned him, and the young man bounced from foster homes and relatives, who could not really care for him.

McCurdy and his friend, Wendy Harshaw, became aware of Roberson's plight.

"Wendy and I both went by there, and we had a chance to talk with Jayveon," said McCurdy.  "The first couple of minutes, the spirit that the kid had really touched us."

Harshaw had worked in health care and found Roberson's condition appalling.

"He was 63 pounds, so that right there tore me apart... and he would tell me that he would be left in the home," said Harshaw.  "Our mission was to give him the best quality of life we could possibly give him."

McCurdy owns several adult foster care homes and thought one of them could work for Roberson.

McCurdy, an outstanding athlete at Cooley High School and Ball State University, played in both the NFL and NBA, and also spent several years in the European Basketball League. That led to a challenge from Roberson.

"He said that I better not give him any problems because he'd take me out and play me in some one-on-one and kick my butt," McCurdy said.  "How could you not like a kid light that, right?"

American Disability Services is working to get a new wheelchair for Roberson.

The home must undergo some modifications to accommodate Roberson's needs.

"Definitely needs a ramp.  There's no ramp to come in here.  He needs a track system to be able to move from his bedroom to his bathroom.  The bathroom's going to need to be modified a little bit.  Some of the doors aren't wide enough for his power wheelchair," said Scott Cleven with American Disability Services.

"Nice to have a new home.  That's it," Roberson said.

Here are some ways you can help Jayveon Roberson:

• You can make a donation using your Visa or MasterCard by calling American Disability Services at 877-599-0990.
  
   
• Make a check out to American Disability Services c/o Jayveon Roberson and mail it to American Disability Services, 46536 Erb Drive, Macomb, MI 48042.
  
   
• If you would like to donate equipment or in-kind services, call 877-599-0990.