My Accessible Bathroom is Life-Changing

Source: quest.mda.org | Re-Post Careprodx 7/7/2016 - 

I never thought I would be so excited about getting a new toilet, sink and shower. But my new fully wheelchair-accessible bathroom has made such a difference in my life, my attitude and my outlook that I can truly say this makeover has been a life-changing event.

More than 10 years ago, I received a diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Over the years, I’ve gone from using a cane to a walker to a power wheelchair. I can no longer drive, walk or work.

The last few years — even though my husband installed grab bars in the bathroom — I’ve had trouble safely using the shower and toilet. I’ve needed help getting in and out of the shower and up and down from the toilet — very depressing for a formerly active, independent woman.

There was no way my husband, Phil, and I could afford major renovations to our home, so the outlook for my bathroom independence was dismal. Then I heard about a program through the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration called Independent Living Rehabilitation Services.

The program (which is available under a similar name in other states as well) is designed to help qualifying individuals with disabilities stay in their homes and maximize their independence. It sounded too good to be true, but I thought I would apply anyway.

A Long Approval Process

In late 2009, my husband and I met with a counselor from the program and spent a few hours discussing my diagnosis and needs, and our financial situation. She thought the program could help me and several weeks later a social worker came out to help us decide what renovations would benefit me the most.

It was decided that modifying the bathroom was the number-one priority, along with some adaptations to our minivan, and an automatic door opener on my front door so I could come in and out of the house myself. But before any of this could become a reality, the economy crashed and the program lost its funding.

To say I was upset is an understatement.

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