Updated at: 08/15/2009 6:44 PM
By: Laura Kennedy
lkennedy@wdio.com

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A Well Deserved Home

It's been a difficult year and a half for Dan and Sara Johnson and their kids. 6-year-old Landon was diagnosed with diabetes in March 2008, and they lost their baby boy, Aden, in December to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

And this Valentine's Day, things got worse. Dan was driving home from work with his two sons when his car was t-boned at an intersection.

"I had my oldest in the front seat next to me and I never wore my seat belt back then," said Dan. "It ended up launching me into his seat."

Landon had a cracked skull and some bleeding, but his condition soon improved. 3-year-old Ethan just needed some stitches. But dan was another story. He had a blood clot in his brain and severe swelling. The prognosis was grim.

"They were telling my wife I wouldn't last the first 48 hours," Dan said.

Dan slipped into a coma. But a month and a half later he woke up, baffling his doctors. After extensive therapy, Dan is doing well, but still tires easily and has trouble with his short term memory. Doctors say he can't be left alone, so Sara is unable to work, and doing chores is a challenge.

"I can't do laundry unless I call somebody and ask them to come watch the kids and Dan," Sara said.

So Sara looked to Habitat For Humanity to help and they came through. Volunteers are helping the Johnsons build a new home. There will be no stairs for Dan to climb and it'll be open on the inside, so Sara can cook and do laundry while keeping an eye on all her boys.

In order to get the house, the Johnsons have to help build it. And they'll have to pay for it through a 30 year mortgage with 0% interest.

"We want a monthly mortgage payment that's around 30% of their monthly income," said Daryl Yankee of Habitat For Humanity. "So they can have enough left over to feed, clothe and educate their kids and live a normal life."

But for now, Dan and Sara are getting a helping hand from volunteers. The new house will be done by November, and the Johnsons can hardly wait.