Mariposa handyman builds wheelchair-accessible garden for a neighbor

RIO RANCHO — Mariposa handyman Patrick Hornef is earning some praise from fellow residents after he installed a wheelchair-accessible garden for a Mariposa family.

"Most folks in the neighborhood say what a blessing I am to other neighbors, and to be honest with you, I think it's a mutual blessing," Hornef said.

Mariposa resident Bill Butler sought out businesses who could possibly make his family garden easier to attend to. Butler has three people in his household who use wheelchairs, including his wife, Carmella.

"He wanted to build something that would make his wife very happy to go around the yard with her chair and be able to plant and take care of her garden," Hornef said.

However, the businesses they reached out to said it could not be done, and that's when Hornef took on the challenge.

"I think a lot of guys don't think outside of the box, to be honest with you. When they hear about a raised planter, and 'how do I get someone underneath a raised planter?' They don't think outside of the box. I am an artist by nature and a craftsman by necessity," Hornef said. "I did a couple of small jobs for the [Butler] family, and then we got to talking about the planter's paradise, if you will."

Hornef was able to fully design, and construct, the handicapped-accessible garden and left the Butler family with plenty to smile about.

Hornef is known throughout the Mariposa community as the go-to handyman and use his company, Chores No More, for various services.

"When people hear Mariposa, they start to start to upcharge. It's called 'Mariposa tax.' They think it's an upper-class neighborhood and charge more money. Part of the reason that I have grown so quicky is that I don't charge a ride-out fee. I live in the community. I work in the community," Hornef said.

Hornef is the owner of the Chores No More and also does work outside of Mariposa. If you would like to reach out Chores No More, call 505-307-1628.