‘Frisco has your back, Emily Borst’

The community has rallied to show her they have her back.

Today, while Emily is recovering in Dallas, contractors are tearing down walls in the family home to widen doorways. They are opening up a room to create a suite, as well as changing a closet into a wheelchair accessible shower.

Home Depot in Frisco donated the necessary supplies for the demolition, which is currently underway with Lohmann Construction, Inc.

Mike Lohmann, a contractor, said he felt a calling to help.  He heard about Borst’s story during his Sunday school class at First Baptist Church of Celina.

“It’s by the grace of God that something like this hasn’t happened to my family.  They are in so much need,” said Lohmann who is donating his time and talent.

John Carter of North Texas Custom Plumbing is also donating the cost of his supplies and labor to install a handicap bathroom to be wheelchair accessible.

Lohmann picked up supplies this morning at the Frisco Home Depot.  Greeted by Assistant Operations Manager John Sprague, Lohmann  helped to load the truck and is ready to begin the day of demolition.

Emily is not only facing her own life challenges with the accident, she and her mother are still grieving the recent loss of her father. Raymond Borst, 51, who died on Dec. 21 was described in his obituary as “loyal to his family, friends and co-workers at the Dallas Morning News.”  He worked printing the newspaper as an electrical technician and supervisor.

After Raymond’s death, the family was without insurance because they couldn’t afford to pay the COBRA fees.  Emily’s mother, Jo Ann Borst, was unemployed and had lost her job with NTTA.  As word spread in the community, friends of friends started finding ways they could help.

Lohmann found out about the Borsts’ need through a church friend.  Some people provided meals. Another friend gathered a group of volunteers to “ready the house” for contractors, which could have resembled an HGTV show.  In addition to the construction contractors, Steve Wentz, a community volunteer, organized over 40 men who will be creating a new landscape to welcome Emily when she arrives home in early April.

Through the grapevine of communication, the community has also made donations through a social media campaign collecting funds for the family.  An account has been set up through Chase Bank, 7680 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034, that will accept donations to help the Borst Family and there is also an online account to contribute with a bank account or credit card at wepay.com/donations/132805.

Many of the people who donated have never met the Borst family, but can only imagine the financial and life devastation they are facing.

The Borst family refuses to think that Emily may never walk again and with the combined hope of friends, family, strangers and faith, not to mention the generosity of others – they know things will only get better even if it’s through baby steps while helping her get accustomed the challenges she’ll face while getting accustomed to life in a wheelchair.

Emily took time off this semester from college, while grieving from her father’s death, but only has two more classes left for an associates degree.  The past couple of years she has been employed part-time at L.A. Fitness while attending school.  Emily has an interest in fitness and diet and has been a lifelong athlete – some of her recreational therapists are also in wheelchairs, so she sees no limits to who she can become. She believes that she will walk again and has the greatest confidence in her doctors.

Story and photos submitted by Lynn Bergman, Frisco PR Girl.

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