This was first posted in August 2014:
Dexter's house is about to be renovated.
Every good renovation needs some 'before' and 'after' photos.
Here are the 'before' photos...
What do you think? Can we make some big changes?
(If you think you can help out, email us [email protected])
Dexter's house is about to be renovated.
Every good renovation needs some 'before' and 'after' photos.
Here are the 'before' photos...
What do you think? Can we make some big changes?
(If you think you can help out, email us [email protected])
The back of Dexter's house. He loves being outside.
Because he isn't mobile, he is usually lying on the trampoline or lying on a mat on the ground.
Because he isn't mobile, he is usually lying on the trampoline or lying on a mat on the ground.
The areas of the backyard with brick pavers are too hard to Dexter to lie on.
When he moves his head, because of his cerebral palsy (and his efforts to move along the ground), he sometimes hits the ground. Hitting brick surfaces would be dangerous for Dexter.
When he moves his head, because of his cerebral palsy (and his efforts to move along the ground), he sometimes hits the ground. Hitting brick surfaces would be dangerous for Dexter.
There are plans to have a deck opening out from the house, along this side wall.
The bathroom that started it all. We had the bathroom, then the whole house, assessed, for Dexter and his needs. When you look at a house, with special needs and disability access in mind, you start to really notice problem areas.
Dexter's shower seat is too large for a typical bathroom. He needs a large, open-plan styled bathroom, with easy to use light switches and taps. He needs access to the sink from a wheelchair, and he will need hoists inserted into the ceiling.
The toilet will be moved into the main bathroom.
By doing this, a wall can be knocked down, and the room can be enlarged.
The bathroom that started it all. We had the bathroom, then the whole house, assessed, for Dexter and his needs. When you look at a house, with special needs and disability access in mind, you start to really notice problem areas.
Dexter's shower seat is too large for a typical bathroom. He needs a large, open-plan styled bathroom, with easy to use light switches and taps. He needs access to the sink from a wheelchair, and he will need hoists inserted into the ceiling.
The toilet will be moved into the main bathroom.
By doing this, a wall can be knocked down, and the room can be enlarged.
There will be big changes to the bathroom.
Dexter's bedroom won't change, much. He doesn't have much storage space, but he needs an open style room. He will need room for a wheelchair, and his mobile hoists which will be used for getting him into and out of bed. His hospital style bed is also a necessity. The artwork on the wall, the hanging cord of coloured lights and the glow-in-the-dark paint on the pictures are all for his cortical vision impairment.
Dexter's bedroom won't change, much. He doesn't have much storage space, but he needs an open style room. He will need room for a wheelchair, and his mobile hoists which will be used for getting him into and out of bed. His hospital style bed is also a necessity. The artwork on the wall, the hanging cord of coloured lights and the glow-in-the-dark paint on the pictures are all for his cortical vision impairment.
At the moment, Dexter spends most of his time on the coloured mat, in the lounge room. He moves around (belly rolling) a lot, and often needs to be pulled away from furniture. The isolation (being primarily limited to the one room) and the time he is not with family members (Dexter can't follow everyone in to the dining room, or the kitchen, or any of the bedrooms) are the main reasons behind wanting an open plan living area.
With Katie's plans, Dexter will always be in the same living area as the rest of his family. The open plan living area will create a much more inclusive home for Dexter. There will be big changes to this area of the house.
With Katie's plans, Dexter will always be in the same living area as the rest of his family. The open plan living area will create a much more inclusive home for Dexter. There will be big changes to this area of the house.
A lot of Dexter's physical therapy is also done in this room.
He uses this area with his standing frame, for about two hours a day.
He also does his sitting, kneeling and sit to stand exercises on the mat.
He uses this area with his standing frame, for about two hours a day.
He also does his sitting, kneeling and sit to stand exercises on the mat.
The lounge and dining areas, as well as the kitchen will become one large room. Expect big changes in this section of the house. Once the renovations are done, Dexter will be able to be seen from each of the different sections of the new room. He will be more included in everything his siblings and parents are doing.
Also, once in a wheelchair, there will be wider spaces and fewer corners, making movement easier for him.
This is the front door to Dexter's house. It's hoped we can re-position the main entrance, creating easier access to the house.
The hallway will be widened, to allow for easier access by Dexter in his wheelchair.
Recently, the old carpet was ripped up, and temporary lino flooring was put down. The removal of the carpet has made it much easier to move Dexter in his equipment (chair, standing frame, toilet seat) and he can now use his walker inside when the weather is too hot, cold or rainy.
We plan on having timber flooring throughout the main sections of the house.
Also, once in a wheelchair, there will be wider spaces and fewer corners, making movement easier for him.
This is the front door to Dexter's house. It's hoped we can re-position the main entrance, creating easier access to the house.
The hallway will be widened, to allow for easier access by Dexter in his wheelchair.
Recently, the old carpet was ripped up, and temporary lino flooring was put down. The removal of the carpet has made it much easier to move Dexter in his equipment (chair, standing frame, toilet seat) and he can now use his walker inside when the weather is too hot, cold or rainy.
We plan on having timber flooring throughout the main sections of the house.
Ok... the kitchen is a little dated.
Dexter needs to be carried in here, and held, if he is to be in the kitchen while the family are in there. The doorway is narrower than standard doors.
The open plan style living area will eliminate these problems. Expect big changes here!
Dexter needs to be carried in here, and held, if he is to be in the kitchen while the family are in there. The doorway is narrower than standard doors.
The open plan style living area will eliminate these problems. Expect big changes here!
These are the steps which divide the house.
Dexter needs to be carried up and down these stairs easch day. He is getting heavy, and has reached the weight where professionals can no longer lift him up.
The new plans see this section of the house being raised, to create a single level house.
In this photo, you can see what the old carpet was like!
Dexter needs to be carried up and down these stairs easch day. He is getting heavy, and has reached the weight where professionals can no longer lift him up.
The new plans see this section of the house being raised, to create a single level house.
In this photo, you can see what the old carpet was like!
The lower section of the house has Dexter's therapy/toy room, the laundry, a second toilet and the garage. Access to the back yard is currently from the lower section of the house.
At the moment, the laundry is a long way from the living room, where Dexter spends most of his time. The new plans have the laundry much closer to the main living area.
This is the front door, with more steps Dexter may never be able to climb.
The front of the house has an open courtyard, but it is never used. This space will be become an extension of the house, so there will be massive changes to this area!
There are huge changes being planned.
Because of the support of our Tradie Mates, we will be able to get far more done than we had previously thought! We are so grateful.
If you think you would like to offer a little labour, some skills and expertise, we'd be delighted to hear from you. We'll be sure to promote you and your business as much as we can!
#DoingitforDexter
email: [email protected]
Because of the support of our Tradie Mates, we will be able to get far more done than we had previously thought! We are so grateful.
If you think you would like to offer a little labour, some skills and expertise, we'd be delighted to hear from you. We'll be sure to promote you and your business as much as we can!
#DoingitforDexter
email: [email protected]
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Doing it for Dexter in the Newspaper
Who is Dexter?
Return to Home page
Return to this Blog
Go to Dexter's other Blog
Find Doing it for Dexter on facebook