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Sophia Jablonski

Naheda Jablonski is a widowed mother of two teenage girls, Sophia and Stephanie. Sophia has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Until recently, the only way Sophia could bathe was if her mother physically lifted her into a tub and bathed with her.

Ms. Jablonski is 4’11”, recently had back surgery and her daughter is as big as her, which makes bathing a complete physical challenge. Naheda is well known in the Orland Park community for her fundraising efforts for others’ causes. She keeps her daughters involved in Girl Scouts and dancing (even Sophia is in a dance group for disabled students).

Many in the community, as well as the village itself, have come to her assistance because of her past deeds. Her church remodeled the lower level of her home so a ramp could be installed. They also repainted the interior of the house. When her local bank heard she was facing foreclosure, they stepped up and refinanced her with a 40-year loan she could afford.

In looking for ways to ease her daughter’s pain and grant her independence, she reached out to the Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co. It’s important to note, that she was interested in purchasing the tub and was not asking for help. It was determined that Ms. Jablonski was unable to afford the tub for her daughter. But, rather than simply moving on, the sales representative who met with Ms. Jablonski, Don Ball, asked his company to help.

And they did.

Safe Step, which routinely receives numerous letters for tub donations, recognized that Ms. Jablonski was making a difference in her church and community, but she needed assistance for her daughter with a disability. So the company decided to make a difference for the Orland Park teenager and her family. Through its award-winning national program of giving, Safe Step Cares, the Nashville-based company delivered and installed the tub that will change the family’s life.

At no cost to the family.

“We were moved by the Jablonski’s story and Safe Step is in the business of changing the lives of our neighbors and friends, every day” said Craig Dauffenbach, CEO and owner of Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co. of Minnesota, Inc., who chose the Jablonski family as the Safe Step Cares recipient. “We felt the family could really benefit from our tub and we are thrilled to help them with something that will change their lives.”

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