BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Imagine a local version of Extreme Makeover: Home edition for the bedrooms of sick kids and in a nutshell, you have the Flower Child Project. Founded by Michelle Chandler, the Flower Child Project seeks to help ailing children in need find a happy place and have a chance to feel like any other kid.
Chandler is originally from California, where she got a degree in interior design. In design firms in Orange County, she worked on restaurants, industrial locations, and luxury residential projects. But when she was about to start a family, she and her husband moved to Birmingham, where he took a job with Iron Tribe Fitness.
After arrival in the Yellowhammer State, the Chandlers welcomed their first daughter. But when she was young, Michelle’s daughter got sick and had to go to Children’s Hospital for breathing treatments. Understandably, this caused Michelle to develop a soft spot for sick children.
Combining her sympathy for the kids and her passion for design, the Flower Child Project was born. “This is something that really has my heart and that can be really big,” she said.
Chandler emphasized that this is more than just putting some paint on the walls. “It’s about having a safe space that is theirs, that represents them and their personality. It’s about being able to just be a kid,” she said.
When planning the Flower Child Project, Chandler said she wanted to make sure the time was right. And right now, it certainly is. She said that in Birmingham, the design industry is booming. She also believes that there is a desire among local businesses to come together for a worthy cause such as this.
“I really want to impact our local community,” she said. “And the families that I’m looking for are families that are local.”
The Flower Child Project is currently searching for families that could use their help. For Chandler, there did not seem to be many qualifications. “We’re looking for Someone who is in need and someone who really believes this will help their child,” she said.
If Flower Child Project blows up, she hopes that it can become more than just room designs. One day, Chandler hopes that Flower Child can branch out and create designer lines of bedding and other accessories.
What she really hopes for more than anything is that this idea can become a movement that will impact sick children across the country. But to get it started, she needs people to reach out and let her get to work.
Chandler encourages people to reach out to her on social media (Facebook: Michelle Chander), and interested families can check out The Flower Child Project’s Instagram (@FlowerChildProject). Some sample photos of what she will be modeling her work after can be viewed below.
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