Dec. 25, 2004, 12:21AM
Associated Press

AUSTIN - Perhaps Bo Busby understands better than anyone the challenges facing his new friend Joe Rank.

The neighbors, both of whom have Lou Gehrig's disease, hardly knew each other before this week. But when Busby heard the Rank family home needed some repairs, a new relationship was forged.

Busby felt compelled to help Rank, his wife, Linda, and their four children. The project grew from a few repairs to an extreme makeover that will accommodate Rank's declining mobility and eventual need for a wheelchair.

"This is what Christmas is really about, giving unconditionally," said Busby, 38.

Disease causes paralysis

Doctors diagnosed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Busby in 2000. The disease, for which there is no cure, doesn't affect the brain but causes muscle paralysis, leaving victims unable to move or speak. Most who have the disease die within five years of diagnosis.

Rank, 39, got his diagnosis in 2002. He can still walk but is able to speak only with the aid of a computer.

Busby, who works at a commercial real estate company, is still mobile but could not use his arms to help in the renovation work. Instead, he raised about $30,000 from friends, co-workers, strangers and Austin businesses.

He recruited his brother-in-law, Sean Cockrell, a general and mechanical contractor, to lead a team of volunteers and construction workers.

"I don't know who is crazier, us for undertaking this or them for allowing strangers to come in and gut their house," Cockrell said.

The Ranks moved into a cabin in the Hill Country while the team opened up their living area, enlarged the kitchen, built French doors that lead to a new deck, installed new carpet and tile and converted a study to a bedroom, so that each of the Rank children has his own room. There's even a trampoline, as well as new beds, appliances and furniture.

Thursday the Ranks came home to celebrate Christmas. The family, grinning in amazement at the house they hardly recognized, was greeted by a crowd of cheering well-wishers, volunteers and TV cameras.

"Sometimes when you are weary, help just comes your way," said Linda Rank. "It makes me feel very loved by people who don't even know me."