Officer Bryan Lawrence at home

Updated 11:32p.m.

Officer Bryan Lawrence moved up the new wheelchair ramp to the elevator that lifted him to the second floor deck of his home.  On the deck, Lawrence and his wife Brenda go back and forth over who should get the first look at their newly renovated home.

“Alright Brenda you’re first.“, says Bryan Lawrence to his wife.

“No you’re first.“, replies Brenda Lawrence.

“No you’re first.“, Bryan says back.

For Bryan Lawrence, it would be an evening full of firsts.  A first look, a first prayer and first steps. It’s the first time he’s seen the second floor of his home in seven months. 

Lawrence’s neighbor and Roanoke City firefighter, Scott Graham enlisted the help of his fellow firefighter Scott Mutter.  Mutter is also a contractor. The two lead a volunteer effort to make the Lawrence home handicapped accessible.  Police officers, firefighters and members of the church the Lawrence family attends were among the many volunteers.  Nearly every building supply was donated by local businesses.

“There are definitely good people still in this world.“, Brenda Lawrence told the workers gathered at her house.

Those people receive the first prayer Bryan says inside his home in a long time.

“We just thank you for their help dear Lord their talents.  Their talents you have given them.  Blessed their lives as much as they have blessed ours.“, said Bryan Lawrence as he lead the group in prayer.

Worn out from physical therapy, Bryan has Brenda help him out of his wheelchair.  He grips his walker and takes his first few steps on the brand new hard wood floor.

“I didn’t want to come through here my first time in a wheelchair.“, said Bryan Lawrence.

Bryan Lawrence tells us he will try to use his walker as much as possible upstairs, to work on his endurance.  He’s continues his physical therapy through Carilion at the Botetourt Athletic Club.  He tells us it’s been difficult lately because the cold weather makes him numb.

Bryan and Brenda Lawrence had been staying at Friendship Manor since returning from an Atlanta rehabilitation hospital in early October.
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For the first time in seven months, Roanoke City Police Officer Bryan Lawrence will sleep in his own bed Wednesday night instead of a hospital bed.

Lawrence, who was paralyzed in the line of duty in May, entered his home for the first time with the help of a wheelchair ramp and elevator.  Two Roanoke City firefighters lead a volunteer effort to remodel Lawrence’s home, making it handicapped accessible. 

Our camera captured Lawrence’s reaction as he saw his newly renovated home for the first time and thanked the workers.

Lawrence spent five months in an intense rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta before returning to Roanoke in October.  Lawrence and his wife Brenda have been staying at Friendship Manor since then. 

We’ll have more on Lawrence’s homecoming tonight on WSLS at 11.