Young Hunter Strunk’s been blessed with the opportunity to get the bedroom of his dreams, but in order to make it happen, he’s going to need lots of help from his community.
The 12-year-old Addison resident was recently selected by the Rochester-based Suite Dreams Project to have his bedroom transformed into a healing environment that will benefit him both physically and emotionally everyday.
‘Kids like him spend a lot of time in their bedrooms when they’re sick,? said Hunter’s mother, Pam Strunk.
Hunter suffers from lissencephaly, a rare brain formation disorder that’s left him virtually immobile, prone to seizures, extremely limited in his ability to communicate and totally dependent on Pam for the most basic personal needs.
Caring for Hunter is a 24-7 job for single mom Pam, who’s only able to work part-time as a paraprofessional for special needs children at Daniel Axford Elementary.
There’s no question that it’s been her love and sheer determination that’s kept Hunter alive.
‘When Hunter was three months old, they told me to go home and plan his funeral,? Pam said. ‘He just turned 12.?
During one of Hunter’s stays at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, the social workers there referred him to the Suite Dreams Project.
‘I didn’t even know that they had nominated me to have this done for Hunter,? Pam said.
Suite Dreams? mission is to bring comfort and joy to children affected by serious medical conditions by creating healing environments in their homes, usually in their bedrooms.
Focusing on children and families with low-to-moderate income, Suite Dreams utilizes the assistance of designers, artisans and volunteers to create these unique environments that are specific to the needs of each child.
‘It’s all about Hunter, what he likes and what’s good for him and his mom,? said Leslie Ann Pilling, an interior designer from Bloomfield Hills, who’s volunteering her time and talents through Suite Dreams.
The project’s been most appropriately named ‘Hunter’s House.?
Being the single mother of a child who’s about to turn 12, Pilling feels a special connection to Pam.
‘Pam and I share a lot of very similar circumstances in one way, but very different in so many others,? she said.
Working with Pilling on this project is Anita Ruiz, managing director for Pure Marketing.
Pilling and Ruiz visited the Strunk home Friday to see Hunter’s room, measure it and talk to Pam about what he needs and what he likes.
‘We want to be very sensitive to what is important and comfortable for him to have around,? Pilling said.
The ladies plan to do a complete make-over of Hunter’s room involving new furniture, fresh paint, new window treatments, more storage for his medical supplies and equipment, shelves to display his numerous collectibles and mementos and special items to help stimulate his senses with motion, sound and color.
Hunter’s love of NASCAR, the Detroit Red Wings and country music will definitely play significant roles in his bedroom’s new decor.
Pilling said the room will be ‘age appropriate now? for Hunter, but with the ability to easily change as he grows.
Ruiz and Pilling would like to start work on Hunter’s room Nov. 10 and be finished by Nov. 14 or 15, but how much is done and how fast will depend on how much support they receive from the community in terms of volunteers, donated materials and financial contributions.
‘Suite Dreams doesn’t donate any money whatsoever,? Pilling said. ‘It’s all basically out of our pocket, unless we get contributions or a little help from the community.?
That being said, in terms of materials, Pilling and Ruiz need lumber, window treatments, fabrics, a new ceiling fan, some lighting and a 24-inch flat screen TV (a special surprise for Hunter).
They also need people to volunteer their time and skills such as a finish carpenter, an electrician, a heating/cooling specialist, a person to do some sewing and some high school students to do various jobs.
Pilling and Ruiz would like to have all contributions secured by Nov. 10.
But the ladies do not wish to simply limit themselves to Hunter’s room, they also wish to redo the Strunks? bathroom and make it handicap accessible.
Pilling said the bathroom requires hand rails, new cabinetry, new fixtures, ‘new everything.?
They also want to upgrade Pam’s bedroom and maybe give her a special day at a spa or salon.
‘She works very, very hard,? Pilling said. ‘She certainly does deserve it.?
Despite the physical, emotional and financial demands placed on her every day by caring for a special needs child, Pam has never once considered Hunter a burden.
On the contrary, caring for him is a labor love and the most important thing in her life.
‘I made a promise to myself when he was diagnosed that he would not be a shut-in and he would enjoy life,? Pam said. ‘I just try to keep that promise going.?
Those wishing to donate time, expertise, money or materials to Suite Dreams project at Pam and Hunter’s home are asked to contact Anita Ruiz at (248) 421-7517 or via e-mail at anita@puremarketing.tv.