The Story
Josue is 17 years old and has faced more challenges than most people experience in a lifetime. After contracting TB meningitis as a toddler, Josue was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy and has undergone many surgeries throughout his life. Today, he requires full-time, hospital-level care at home. He is unable to sit up or speak, uses a feeding tube, and spends most of his days in his bedroom due to his complex medical needs. By his side through it all is his incredible mother, Elvia. As a devoted single mom, Elvia sleeps beside Josue each night so she can monitor his seizures, respond to his needs, and provide the constant care he requires.
With the help of Artisan Design Studio and the generous support of our donors and community partners, including Lead Coverage and Target Circle, Sunshine on a Ranney Day transformed Josue’s bedroom into a space designed to brighten his days and bring peace to his mother at the end of each one. This project was made possible by the kindness of our supporters, especially the individual donors whose generosity helps bring every SOARD makeover to life.
Ryan Williams, owner of Artisan Design Studio, and junior designer Rylee Rutland thoughtfully designed a bedroom that feels youthful and personal for Josue, while also offering comfort and calm for Elvia. Their "goal was to give Josue a room that could grow with him and age well over time," as well as a design that "balances masculine and feminine elements through the use of neutral tones, clean lines, and layered textures." Because Josue spends most of his time in bed, they added patterned wallpaper to the ceiling, creating something beautiful for him to look at throughout the day. Knowing that the television often provides Josue with comfort and entertainment, they incorporated it into the room’s design and, after learning from Elvia that Josue enjoys watching soccer, they incorporated subtle soccer-inspired touches through pillows, lighting, and décor.
The design balances masculine and feminine elements through the use of neutral tones, clean lines, and layered textures that bring softness and comfort to the space.Our goal was to give Josue a room that could grow with him and age well over time, incorporating subtle nods to his love for soccer in a more mature and elevated way rather than feeling overly themed. The end result is a space that feels inviting, comfortable, and refined while still reflecting his personality and interests.
Storage was an essential part of this makeover. Our incredible partners at Echols designed and built a custom wardrobe cabinet with drawers and hanging space to help keep Josue’s room organized and functional. Additional storage was created beneath Josue’s medical bed with under-bed boxes, as well as under Elvia’s new bed, which was custom upholstered by O’Kelley’s Upholstery & Design. The window treatments, custom-made by Dossett Does It, were designed to beautifully complement the room’s overall style.
We are deeply grateful to Niki Murphy for photographing Josue’s family and to Sherwin-Williams for graciously donating paint for this project, as they do for all of our makeovers. The result is a room filled with warmth, function, comfort, and love, creating a space where Josue can feel cared for, and Elvia can find a sense of peace while continuing to care for her son.
We invite you to continue making a difference in families' lives, like Josue's. We invite you to continue making a difference in families' lives, like Josue's. To learn more about ongoing projects, volunteer opportunities, or ways to support Sunshine on a Ranney Day, please explore our website or contact us directly. Together, we can bring hope and comfort to more children and their families.
