2026 marks the 16th year of giving a bathroom away and our 4th year working with the Olivia Bloomfield Foundation. While we love working on homes across Kansas City and now at the Lake of the Ozarks, this giveaway is perhaps the greatest thing we get to do! Now without further ado let us introduce you to this year’s recipient - Matthew.
Table of Contents
Meet Matthew
We are excited to introduce you to Matthew Calel, our 2026 Olivia’s Big Splash recipient. Matthew just turned 10 and is an incredible kid with a big personality and even bigger passions.
He loves cars, but music has his heart. Matthew plays the bass with his family at church, and when he is not strumming along, you will probably find him cheering on the Chiefs.
Matthew has spina bifida and a VP shunt and uses a wheelchair for mobility. None of that keeps him from enjoying life, but his home, especially his bathroom, is not set up to give him the independence he deserves.
The Problem: His Existing Bathroom
The biggest challenge for Matthew is simply access.
- He cannot get into the bathroom in his wheelchair, which means his dad has to lift and move him every time.
- Their traditional tub and shower combo is not accessible, which makes bathing difficult and unsafe.
- Even the sink is hard for Matthew to reach.
A bathroom should offer support and independence, and right now Matthew’s does the opposite.
Our Plan
It is time to reimagine the Calel bathroom, and we cannot wait to get started.
Although the space is tight, our degreed architect Leslie Hatfield has a talent for turning challenging layouts into highly functional spaces. Once Leslie maps out the best plan for Matthew’s mobility needs, Kelly Summers will work with the Calel family on materials and finish selections to bring the vision together.
Our goal is simple. Create a safe, accessible bathroom that gives Matthew more independence in his own home.
We are excited to share progress along the way, so stay tuned for updates as this special project takes shape.
A Great Way to Give Back This Time of Year
This time of year naturally encourages all of us to slow down, reflect, and look for small ways to support our community. Whether it is through volunteering, donating, or simple acts of kindness, every effort makes a difference.
If you are looking for amazing organizations making a difference in Kansas City, here are a few close to our hearts:
- Olivia Bloomfield Foundation – Championing accessibility, funding community projects, and supporting research that empowers individuals with disabilities.
- Variety KC – Providing adaptive equipment, therapies, and opportunities to children with cognitive or physical disabilities.
- Britain Development / B.E. Smith Family Center – Family-centered developmental services for young children with special needs.
- HopeKids – A strong community of hope for families facing life-threatening childhood conditions.
- Love Fund for Kids – Fulfilling the unique or unmet needs of children across Kansas City.
Thank you for being part of a community that makes Olivia’s Big Splash possible. We are honored to continue this tradition and even more honored to support kids like Matthew. Stay tuned as we follow along the journey.