There were so many huge changes to Dexter's house.
Those huge changes make comparison shots a little difficult.
Whole walls were knocked down. Parts of the outside became parts of the inside!
Rooms were re-positioned, doorways were changed and it's a totally new home.
Those huge changes make comparison shots a little difficult.
Whole walls were knocked down. Parts of the outside became parts of the inside!
Rooms were re-positioned, doorways were changed and it's a totally new home.
This is where Dexter spent most of his time. The room was quickly becoming over crowded and his therapy gear was pushed into corners. Access in to the lounge and dining rooms was through narrow walkways. This is where the renovation idea started to form.
Walls were knocked down and floors were raised. The house become one level and the small hallways were gone. Dexter' house was opened up and everyone was surprised by the size of the main room! Almost everything was replaced; insulation, plaster, cornices, flooring...
The top photo faces towards Dexter's bedroom.
The bottom photo shows the main room from Dexter's bedroom.
The bottom photo shows the main room from Dexter's bedroom.
Now, it doesn't matter if someone is in the lounge, the dining room, doing therapy, in the kitchen or on the back deck... everyone is still together!
This is a comparison photo. This was the old lounge room. It's now a section of the main room. It's where most of Dexter's therapy gear is stored. His light box is against the corner. Everything is easily accessed and Dexter can use everything, and still be with the family.
This is a photo of the old kitchen. The old window was bricked in and the entire room was gutted. The steps to the lower section of the house were removed and the floor was lifted, making it all level and very wheelchair friendly. The old kitchen has now become the kid's dining area and play table.
Next to the kitchen was the old laundry. It was another room to be totally gutted.
It was removed and the laundry is now where the old garage was. The old laundry is now sliding doors opening the new kitchen to the deck.
It was removed and the laundry is now where the old garage was. The old laundry is now sliding doors opening the new kitchen to the deck.
The new laundry is in the old garage. Again, huge changes were needed.
The bathroom has changed a lot, too. The toilet is now in the main room, which made it much bigger. We will get some shower screens, soon. The main bathroom will be left as open as possible, to allow for wheelchair access and the use of the modified toilet/shower seat. The main bathroom has two doors; one going directly in to Dexter's bedroom. This will make for easier access to the bathroom for him.
Hallways are now wider and will comfortably fit Dexter's wheelchair. Already, he has been pushed around the house and along the corridors, chasing his sisters and giving them a ride on his chair. For the first time, he is playing with his sisters all around the house.
A rarely used backyard has now become a very important part of the family home.
While most of the changes can be seen inside of the home, the street appearance has changed significantly.
A really incredible team of tradesmen and businesses made this possible. If you need a tradie, please use some of our guys. They were amazing!
Find their contact details here or just ask us.
"Thank you" will never explain our gratitude enough.
People are great!
Find their contact details here or just ask us.
"Thank you" will never explain our gratitude enough.
People are great!
Click here to see who offered support
We moved back in!
What a Dollar means to Dexter
When Wheelchair Stops Being a Dirty Word
The Original Idea
Dexter's Fun Plans
Coastal Windows and Doors
Smith and Sons Shellharbour
Melissa
Dexter's 2013
Dexter's First Month
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
Return to Home page
Find me on: facebook twitter instagram pinterest youtube
We moved back in!
What a Dollar means to Dexter
When Wheelchair Stops Being a Dirty Word
The Original Idea
Dexter's Fun Plans
Coastal Windows and Doors
Smith and Sons Shellharbour
Melissa
Dexter's 2013
Dexter's First Month
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
Return to Home page
Find me on: facebook twitter instagram pinterest youtube