we didn't think about houses!
We wondered whether Dexter might walk... would he ever run? Would he need a lot of help and support? How bad would this cerebral palsy thing be?
A few weeks after the brain damage news, we wondered what sport we could train him up for, so he could compete in the paralympics! Really! We did!
We didn't really think about the specialised equipment Dexter would need.
We didn't think about having to get a modified van.
And, we never thought about house modifications.
Dexter is almost three.
He's pretty tall and he is taking up more and more space.
In our house, he is pretty much confined to the one, small room.
And so, we're starting to think of house modifications.
A large, open-planned living, kitchen, dining room would best suit Dexter's needs.
For cerebral palsy awareness month, we want to share some ideas that make homes accessible to everyone... and that increases inclusion. Dexter needs inclusion.
Here are some of the modifications we have been learning about:
- The entrance to the house needs to be flat, and smoothly paved. A small sloping driveway, hardly noticeable to us, is a huge hill for Dexter. And steps... we haven't even started working on steps with Dexter.
- The floor plan of the house would need to be flat, without steps. If there is a second story, the upper storey of the house would be inaccessible without a lift or seat to carry Dexter up the stairs. (We've heard lifts can cost $25,000.)
- Doorways need to be wider than standard doorways. The same goes for hallways. The wider space allows for walkers and wheelchairs. The fewer corners, the better.
- Window controls would need to be easily operated. Sliding windows would be best. They would need to be set lower, to enable access from a wheelchair.
- Lever door handles would be used in all parts of the house, within reach of wheelchair height. Automatic doors would be better.
- Bathrooms need modifications to enable ease of access. A slightly sloping wet floor provides access to showers. The basin may need to include space for a wheelchair to be rolled underneath. Towel racks would need to be lowered and lever taps would assist with independence.
- Ceilings may need to be reinforced, so hoists can be used. Hoist tracks can be inserted in the ceiling, to allow Dexter to be carried from one place to another. This would especially be needed in a bedroom and bathroom.
- Walls may need to be reinforced, so grab bars can be inserted and used.
- Light switches, electric power points, air conditioning controls and taps would need to be at a lower height, to enable access for people in wheelchairs. Wide, flat light switches, which can be flicked easily, are best for people like Dexter.
- Floors will be best if they are covered in floorboards or flat tiles, to provide a flat, smooth surface to walk on, or for easy use of walkers and wheelchairs.
- Carpet would need to be low pile for the same reason.
- Automatically opening doors would provide easy access. An emergency access should be considered.
- The mailbox needs to be easily accessible, and lowered in height.
- Ducted air-conditioning would be best, as people with cerebral palsy have trouble with the cold (it hurts their muscles) and can be very hot in summer (because they exert so much more energy than people who don't have cerebral palsy).
- With Dexter's large and bulky therapy equipment, we would need considerable storage areas.
And, how good would a heated swimming pool be, where Dexter could spend time each day working on his hydrotherapy exercises!
These are things we never considered when we first learned of Dexter's cerebral palsy, but they are very real to us now.
Cerebral palsy is expensive!
In a dream world, we would have all of this.
Never mind.
Raising awareness of cerebral palsy.
*We got some ideas from My Child Without Limits
My Sister Knows (I have cerebral palsy)
My Darkest Days
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