Thad Harris

Thad Harris' kitchen is specially designed to accommodate his wheelchair.

Thad Harris' kitchen is specially designed to accommodate his wheelchair.

Thad Harris spends many hours supervising volunteer teams who come to work with the Americus-Sumter Fuller Center for Housing. Here, he has some fun with a group of students from The Ohio State University.

Thad Harris poses with a large group of volunteers from Alpharetta Presbyterian Church who worked with the Americus-Sumter Fuller Center for Housing in June 2015.

Thad Harris supervises students from the University of Cincinnati as they help build a new Fuller Center home in Sumter County.

Chuck Davis' front porch on the other side of the duplex is decked out for Halloween 2015.

Leala and Thad Harris. Thad says he never would have found the courage to even speak to Leala at his church — much less eventually propose marriage — had it not been for the confidence boost he received from partnering with The Fuller Center for Housing.

Leala and Thad Harris. Thad says he never would have found the courage to even speak to Leala at his church — much less eventually propose marriage — had it not been for the confidence boost he received from partnering with The Fuller Center for Housing.

Thad Harris (right) works with Fuller Center co-founder Linda Fuller and Fuller Center President David Snell during the construction of his home in 2010.

Fuller Center homeowner partners Thad Harris (left) and Chuck Davis are friends and neighbors. Here, they are seen working together as they help build their duplex in 2010.

Thad Harris' home, as seen in October 2015, five years after it was completed.

Thad Harris' home, as seen in October 2015, five years after it was completed.

Thad Harris was required to contribute sweat equity in the building of his Fuller Center home — as are all Fuller Center homeowner partners. He didn't think he would be able to fulfill his required 350 hours, but he wound up tallying more than 500 hours in the building of his home. He has since contributed hundreds more volunteer hours with the Americus-Sumter Fuller Center for Housing to help others have decent homes and now serves on the local group's Board of Directors.

Thad Harris' home, as seen in October 2015, five years after it was completed.