From left, Lois and Luis Rodriguez with their eldest grandson

Bathtime, as any parent knows, is a hands-on task in the early years. It requires time, attention, and lots of patience—all of which typically lessen as a child grows. But for children with special needs, this progression toward independence is not a given. While modifications may help, they are also costly.

“My grandson is a big guy, he’s five foot nine, 180 pounds,” said Luis Rodriguez of his 16-year-old grandson, who he and his wife Lois have raised since birth, along with his 14-year-old brother. “He has autism and a disability on his right leg, from when he had a stroke in utero. He wears a leg brace and is always afraid of falling. He’d hold onto the side of the tub and the shower curtain. He’d hold onto me. So I’d get a shower, too.”

“When he was smaller, it was easier,” said Lois Rodriguez. “We wanted an accessible bathroom for him, for independence reasons. So we don’t have to continue to bathe him for the rest of his life.”

This accessible bathroom was made possible by Way Finders’ Home Modification Loan Program

“Now he loves the shower, he walks right in,” Luis said. “I am still there to help turn on the water, to adjust the hot and cold. But he doesn’t have to hang on me anymore.”

Their story, as Luis and Lois attest, was made possible by one woman.

“An ‘angel’ named Jaqueline reached out to us,” said Luis, of the unexpected phone call he received in March 2025 from Lending Specialist Jaqueline Luna. “From the day I spoke to her, she said, ‘I am going to help you. We are going to try again and do things right.’ She was amazing.”

Their first attempt at accessing Way Finders’ HMLP, which they heard about by word of mouth in 2024, didn’t work out. The required paperwork is time sensitive, and they kept being asked to resubmit things that had expired. In frustration with the delays, they gave up, figuring they’d find another solution at some point for the changes needed to their home.

But when Luna started in her new role in fall 2024, she took a close look at all recently closed HMLP applications.

Typically, families select a single contractor to complete the approved modifications to the home. But Luis was inspired to tap into his personal network of contractors, and hired one person per job—resulting in savings of more than $10,000. In addition to the bathroom, the program funded the installation of an accessible front door, a six-foot exterior fence, and a smooth new driveway.

The Rodriguez family’s home in Holyoke

The new fence brings welcome relief, as they live near Interstate 91 and their grandson is known to wander. He also spends a lot of time outside in his special swing, and their yard is frequented by a variety of wildlife.

“He loves to swing, he’s in his own world on the swing,” said Luis. “This past May, he was swinging while I was sitting on the deck, when all of a sudden I see this big black bear about 15 feet away from him. I didn’t want to panic him. But I had to tell him if he didn’t get off the swing, he might never swing again!”

Their asphalt driveway, prior to being redone, was uneven, cracked, and falling out in chunks—and turned into a lake whenever it rained. Now their grandson can navigate it more easily with both his brace and the wheelchair he uses for longer distances.

“After we did the driveway, my grandson said, ‘It isn’t humpy anymore!’ I was happy, too, now that it’s safer for him,” said Luis, who recommends that anyone who pursues the program be ready to take an active, engaged role. “You can’t sit back and expect Jackie to do all the work, you have to be proactive and work as a team. Every time she emailed me, I’d get her what she needed about two hours later.”