I've now got a ramp outside so I can be wheeled to hospital appointments and maybe sit outside in the sunshine for a moment or two without the palava of getting out temporary ramps or lifting me down steps on stretchers. Further into the future it also means no steps to walk down and easy access to independent trips out to my nans or budgens (big goals)
All of the doors have been widened downstairs so they are now really big for my chair to easily get through (hopefully without taking chunks of wood with me) The council fund the renovations but no painting or aesthetic stuff so it still does look a bit building siteish with plaster work showing but now the doors are all painted (thanks to our really speedy and lovely painter/decorator) and they are looking so nice it feels like its all coming together :)
The plan is for me to move from my current bedroom upstairs (where I have to zoom perilously close to the stairs to use the bathroom) to the living room dining room downstairs. They will be my rather ginormous living quarters and even have the sofa in there for visitors (and maybe me when I can sit up on more squishy surfaces :))
The most amazing part of all of this is the wet room that they have put in for me. It has loads of space meaning lots of chair maneuvering room and no steps or shower trays to climb into. Now just to get the seat sorted and it'll all be ready to go :) I was going to have a seat on the wall but logistically it wasn't possible so awaiting my OT to find me a comfortable wheeled one, and need to find a nice mirror for over the sink.
Baths have only just become a possibility, so a shower seems like too much to hope for but it could be just around the corner by the looks of things :D
Taps and rails and controls all being at my wheelchair height is amazing :D
They even were able to use the same tiles as we had so it all fits in and looks pretty good if I do say so myself. Now just to get down there to use it!!!
The chair I've got to use in their at the minute isnt suitable at all so on the hunt with my OT for a better one so fingers crossed I'll find one soon. As this is really uncomfy just fall down the middle of this one and get serious back pain just sitting in it for 30 secs to try it out :P Why have all the padding on the outside :/ weird! And even though it has adjustable legs even on the highest setting my legs are too short for it haha.
I'm also hoping to apply for a more permanent stairlift, so it means I can go upstairs as I get stronger without needing to be well enough to tackle stairs (which may never happen) getting to visit my mum in her living room and being part of family life up here occasionally. As the stairs would be a mountain without it.
I'll update you all when I have moved downstairs (should be in the next few weeks or so health depending) and let you know how i'm getting on with it all. It will finally mean I can access every part of my house (bar the back garden) without assistance thanks to my electric wheelie. You never know if you pop round it might not be too far off till I can actually make you a drink ;P
Lots of love xxx
