Charity To Reveal Makeover Project For Boy Fighting Rare Disease

Sunshine on a Ranney Day, a Roswell-based nonprofit organization that creates dream room and home makeovers for children with long-term illnesses, will soon reveal its makeover on the home of Oliver Shattles-Moore and his family.

The big reveal will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 14 at 9630 Haverhill Lane in Johns Creek.

Oliver Shattles-Moore is battling two rare genetic disorders — Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (22q13 deletion) and a partial Trisomy 9 (9q34 duplication) — that’s left him with various medical complications.

He’s one of only two children in the world with this extremely rare combination of genetic disorders and is one of the 1,100 known worldwide cases of Phelan-McDermid Syndrome.

Complications of his condition include Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy, as well as deficits of the cardiac, neurological, intestinal and renal systems leading to extreme chronic pain. He receives his nutrition intravenously and is incredibly susceptible to infection. In his short three years, Oliver has already endured 14 surgeries and frequent hospitalizations.

As a result of his condition, Oliver is unable to go to school or engage in therapy outside the home. He is currently non-ambulatory, non-verbal and receives extensive in home therapies to facilitate improved muscle control, cognition and communication.

The Shattles-Moore makeover, which started Jan. 17, is the organization’s first project of 2015. The family has not seen any part of the makeover aside of the work done on demolition day as they have been staying with his grandparents during the remodeling SOARD said on Thursday.

“We’re excited to start 2015 helping change Oliver and his family’s life,” added SOARD founder Holly Ranney. “With our partners and this design team, Oliver’s family is going to be very surprised and happy with the outcome.”

This project involves converting a dining room into a therapy room, removing old carpets and installing low pile carpet, creating a wheelchair accessible bathroom and remodeling Shattles-Moore’s bedroom.

SOARD had 12 makeover projects last year, and aims to complete 12 to 15 projects this year.

SOARD’s partners for this project are Crosby Design Group, Cambridge Swinerton Builders, ATLAS Disposal, Interceramic, Georgia Cabinetry, the Wall Nut, Med-Lift, Chick-fil-a, Atlanta Glass and Mirror, Inc., Builders Floor Covering and Tile, Mowhawk Smart Strand, Noland, Reliable Heating and Air, Gregory’s Paint and Flooring, Atlanta Kitchen, Inc.

SOARD, a leading children’s charity with expertise in residential, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant modifications, therapy rooms and unique children’s room design, has completed 19 life-changing makeovers for Atlanta-area families since 2012.

For more information, visit SOARD’s website.

Photo credit: Sunshine on a Ranney Day