Widner family welcomes son home

The East County’s Widner family welcomed their son back this weekend after years more than three years of waiting.

Jeremy Widner, who suffered a near fatal staff infection when he was 18 years old and was barely able to speak a year later, has been living in a medical facility since then because his home was not able to accommodate the wheelchair he now requires.

His parents, Vanessa and Terry Widner, were willed a 1,300-square-foot house from their neighbor more than two years ago. The home has been gutted and fixed up by community businesses through the My Community Makeover program.

Work recently was finished, and Jeremy made his way home with his parents this weekend.

“Three years — it’s been a long time,” Jeremy’s grandmother Mary Berry said. “We’ve waited a long time for this. He is so special. He’s been through so much for a man his age."

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].