Multi Level Housing

[Barb]

So, we are moving to Colorado and we are going to look at houses this week. Any advice on dealing with multilevel housing?

[Dodger67]

Just say "No".

[Barb]

LOL, not really an option. :kleenex:

[kali]

so you are moving barb! hugggssss goodluck! OUr home is a two story house. I was worried about my son with the stairs, but you know the kids are amazing some how they manage and I think ,my son actually enjoys the challenge.

[angel]

so you are moving barb! hugggssss goodluck! OUr home is a two story house. I was worried about my son with the stairs, but you know the kids are amazing some how they manage and I think ,my son actually enjoys the challenge.

I can tell you what i do. I have a 2 story house with a basement. What i did at first was find a cheap used wheelchair for the floor that i used the least (upstairs) that is the boys rooms and they are plenty old enough to keep it up themselves. I had the good wheelchailr on the floor i used the most. When i had to go work in the basment (it is basically a storage area) my husband would have to carry a chair down for me. That doesn't work so good now that my husband is out of town so much for work. I am getting a new wheelchair so i am just going to shift the others around. The good one i have now will go on the top floor, the new one one the ground floor (i am there the most) and the cheap one i bought will go in the basement! I have transportation on each floor. I use my wheelchair to do all my household work. Laundry, cooking, cleaning etc.....

Now i am a walker and i can climb stairs with no problem but my suggestion for someone who can't espically a child is put some knee pads on your child and let them crawl up the stairs unless you have knees like mine that are so tough from the years of dragging myslef where i needed to go that you don't need them lol. Also be ready for a few brusies. I have them on my legs all the time but a bruise never killed anyone and i can do whatever i need. Seems like a small price to me. I have done this many times myself espically when i NEEDED to take something up and there was no one there to help me. It will strengthen your child's arms it will give him/her the freedom to learn not to be afraid to go up and down as they please if you are willing to allow that. Will your child fall. Probably. I think all of us that have dared to try new stuff like that have taken a few spills here and there. But independance of anykind doesn't come without it's battle scars and in my opnion freedom to get around in your own home is very important.

Angel

[Dodger67]

Why is it not possible?
:33a:
I find it really hard to believe that there are absolutely no ground level, stairless, houses available.

[Barb]

There are no ground level stairless homes that are a.big enough or b. in a neighborhood that we want to live in.

[Dodger67]

That really sucks!

[lisamarie6801]

I know it may seem expensive but it's always an option to get one of those lift chairs installed. The ones you sit in and they are hand controlled to move up or down the stairs? I guess you would need at least two wheelchairs in this case also.:dance2:

[Dodger67]

Or the type that will take you in your chair. Just Google: "stair elevator" wheelchair.

[Barb]

Just returned from a VERY long day of househunting. I think we will be doing what you do Angel. We have two extra chairs that he has outgrown but I am now going to exercise that ever handy growth package and bring them up to his size. He can scoot on the stairs. I just want to plan for the day when he may not be able to, Plan for the worst, expect the best :dance2:

[angel]

Hey Barb,

That was the simple solution that i used for myself and i have learned the more simple it is the better it seems to work. At least for me. I understand why you want to plan for the future on the chance he may not always be able to scoot up the steps. But the bright side is he will probably always be able to expically if he continues to do it a lot. I am in my 30's and i can still do it lol. I have found the key to keeping the ability to do something is to keep doing it. I have people that want to help me all the time and i tell them no because if i don't stay in practice then i will loose what i have. (carrying things etc.....)

I am going to the gym finally. I am going to see what they have that i can do because i have started putting on weight for the FIRST time in my life. I gotta get it off so wish me luck !!!!!!!

Angel

[Dodger67]

I probably still can crawl up stairs if I absolutely definitelty have to. But it won't be easy! My poor old wrists just aren't what they used to be. I'm also beginning to feel my age when I lift my folded wheelchair into my car:
I have a small hatchback. I keep the back seat folded down so that I have a flat "loadbed" - I "throw" my chair over the front passenger seat into the back. Its a heavy chair made with an extra thick stainless steel frame - it weighs about 24kg/53lb.
I'm really not sixteen anymore!