Working in junction with Cornerstone Construction Group we received the Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.
Episode 9 – Ripatti Family
courtesy of ABC.com
Husband and wife Tim and Kristina worked together as police officers in the gang division of the LAPD. They met on the job and are married, with baby daughter, Jordan. Despite the extreme dangers of their jobs, Kristina and Tim are both happy and proud to serve and protect their community. But just how dangerous their jobs could be became terrifyingly clear this past summer. One night Kristina and her partner followed a man who was acting suspiciously. When he started to run, they pursued him on foot. Kristina caught up to him, but then he shot her. Her partner in turn shot and killed the gang member and called for help. Over the radio Tim heard that an officer had been shot, and he immediately rushed to the scene to find his wife fighting for her life. Kristina survived the incident, but today is paralyzed from the chest down.
Confined to a wheelchair, Kristina now endures rigorous physical therapy. Because of her condition, the small two-bedroom home that she, Tim and Jordan live in can no longer accommodate them. The Ripattis need a wheelchair accessible home with a third bedroom for Tim’s mother, Jean, who wants to live with the family to help care for Kristina and Jordan. Kristina and Tim’s lives were changed in an instant that night, but she is a fighter and is still fighting today. Both Tim and Kristina have served their community; now it’s time for the community and the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition design team to salute these local heroes and build them a better and more accessible home.
While Ty and the designers, local builder Cornerstone Construction Group of Redondo Beach and hundreds of volunteers and workers are rebuilding their home, the Ripatti family will go on vacation in Los Cabos at the Hilton.