When Jayne Hodor Willis stepped through the doors of NWI Parkinson in Highland, she was still reeling.
Getting the diagnosis at a relatively young age was tough enough, her husband, Mike Willis, told a crowd at the NWIP’s Highland headquarters, so joining a group of older people with a condition she was still wrapping her around gave her a bit of anxiety. It took seconds, however, for her to not only fit in but become a leader of sorts.
Her leadership is now memorialized with a plaque that sits atop the organization’s new wheelchair lift, for which the group held a dedication ceremony on September 4.
The lift has been in the works for a few years in the two-story building at 2927 Jewett Ave., and at times felt like it may never happen, but then the stars aligned, NWIP Founder Elizabeth Woodbury said. They were in the midst of their fundraising when a former member passed away and left the group a gift large enough to cover at least half of project.
Then last August, the Town of Highland’s Redevelopment Commission changed the rules of its facade program to include inside construction, Redevelopment Director Maria Becerra said. As a result, the town returned more than $17,000 to NWIP.
“Whatever project a business does brings up values, so getting 30 cents on every dollar back is a great investment for us,” Becerra said.
Finally, Bill Haase of Haase Construction came through and offered to pay for the materials while a second company that installs lifts did the work, Don Nagdeman, a member of the organization’s board of directors, said.
It felt as if the whole thing came together by design.
“It was truly God’s plan,” Woodbury said. “I’ve been very emotional over it all.”
With the building’s second floor easily accessible, Woodbury said she’ll move NWIP’s gym up there as well as create a spa room for medical massages and pedicures. And all services NWIP offers are either free-of-charge or carry a small fee.
NWIP and its members became home for Jayne Willis, who died in February 2023. After her initial trepidation, Jayne Willis spent most of her week with the group, Mike Willis said. He too agreed with Woodbury about divine inspiration.
“When she got her diagnosis, we were shook, and we fell to our knees and praying. God heard us and directed us here,” he said. “I believe NWIP is what answered prayers look like.”
The Willises’ sister-in-law, Michele Willis, concurred.
“I’m amazed that the public still donates to places like this,” she said. “I feel like Jayne’s spirit really brought it together.”
For more information on Northwest Indiana Parkinson, log on to nwiparkinson.org.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
