Wheelchair ramp built by middle school students helps father return home

Photos by Abra Richardson with writing by Nathan Clark for MLive.com/The Jackson Citizen-Patriot

Nevaeh Steers, 10, and her class watch as Concord Middle School’s students work on building a ramp for a her father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and

Nevaeh Steers, 10, and her class watch as Concord Middle School’s students work on building a ramp for a her father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Lamans Brewer, 14, Kollin Harrell, 14 and Annie Caller, 12, work on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installm

Lamans Brewer, 14, Kollin Harrell, 14 and Annie Caller, 12, work on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Gabby Becker, 13, works on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St.,

Gabby Becker, 13, works on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Concord Middle School students work on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S.

Concord Middle School students work on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School, shows students how to cut wood as he works on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Arbuckle lead the project and installment outside o

Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School, shows students how to cut wood as he works on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Arbuckle lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Concord Middle School students work on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S.

Concord Middle School students work on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Concord Middle School students work on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S.

Concord Middle School students work on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Gabriella Blanton, 14, works on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord

Gabriella Blanton, 14, works on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School does a demonstration with his students as they work on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Arbuckle lead the project and installment o

Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School does a demonstration with his students as they work on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Arbuckle lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Nevaeh Steers, 10, and her class watch as Concord Middle School’s students work on building a ramp for a her father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and

Nevaeh Steers, 10, and her class watch as Concord Middle School’s students work on building a ramp for a her father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Kollin Harrell, 14, works on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St

Kollin Harrell, 14, works on building a ramp for a student's father who became disabled after a crash a year ago. Mike Arbuckle, an industrial arts teacher at Concord Middle School lead the project and installment outside of the home on S. Concord St., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

A car crash in 2024 left Robert “Kelly” Steers wheelchair-bound and staying in several medical facilities helping him recover.

He hasn’t been home in almost a year.

Thanks to a group of motivated Concord Middle School students, he now will be able to come home for Christmas.

Students enrolled in the school’s industrial arts class constructed a wheelchair ramp for Steers, installing it Friday morning, Dec. 5, amid frigid temperatures.

“This generous act has touched our hearts more than we can express,” said Lori Parker, Robert Steers mother and caretaker. “At a time when our family has been navigating so many challenges, their support has given us hope and reminded us that we are not alone. These students and teachers didn’t just build a ramp—they built a path for Kelly to come home and a moment of light for our entire family. We are truly thankful.”

Full story by Nathan Clark here.