"He ends up with R-22 insulated walls that not only reduces his utility bills, it lets him drop down by half on the HVAC system and to a much smaller whole-house generator for when the power fails," Elsey said. The thermal mass of the concrete helps keep the indoor temperature comfortably steady.

Terczak added that power outages are fairly frequent in that area of Caroline and can make life particularly difficult for him, so the generator was a must.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

Terczak will soon enjoy a home that helps make his life easier and more convenient. The kitchen, with roll-up recesses under the sink and counter, merges into the main living area around a peninsula counter designed for casual meals.

The flooring is a combination of easy-to-navigate vinyl and berber carpeting. Vinyl is looking good these days, whether it's the faux slate in the kitchen and great room, the faux tile in the guest bathroom, or the faux hardwood in Terczak's master suite. The shower in the master bath is real ceramic tile, handsomely done. Pocket doors are used to keep them out of the way.

A hoist attached to ceiling tracks in his bedroom will lift Terczak from his wheelchair into bed, while another in the bathroom will move him easily from chair to toilet or whirlpool tub.

"I'm looking forward to that whirlpool tub," he said.

He'll be able to roll out through a rear door onto the deck, where the grill will be, or out to the covered front porch and down the gentle ramp--both concrete--to his car in the driveway. The exterior of the house is virtually maintenance-free.

Terczak is grateful, to say the least, for how things turned out.

"When I was first in the hospital there were soldiers there who didn't have any arms or legs," he said. "They were a lot worse off than I was, so you have to count your blessings.

"This is the best Christmas present I could ever hope for."

Richard Amrhine: 540/374-5406
Email: ramrhine@freelancestar.com