Client Stories »
Dave and Mary
Dave and Mary were retired when I met them. They lived in a typical two-story home with all the bedrooms on the second floor and the laundry area in the basement.
They were in need of some pretty significant changes because shortly before I met with them, Dave had been diagnosed with ALS. Coming quickly to grips with what the future held for them, it was important to them both that Dave be able to stay in their home and that any changes made would be suitable for Mary for years to come.
We partnered with one of our Occupational Therapist, our architect and designed an addition to Dave and Mary’s home that included a master bedroom, accessible bath, gathering area and two barrier free entrances into the home.
Dave and Mary often told us how great the space worked for them. Through their involvement with a local ALS support group, they ended up referring several clients to us.
Dave handled his condition with such dignity and leadership. Dave passed away just a few months ago. We were glad to have known him and it was a privilege to assist Mary and him as they worked through the life changes brought about by Dave’s illness.
Jim and Elaine top
Jim was also diagnosed with ALS a little over a year ago. Jim is a young man and he and his wife Elaine have two young children. At this stage in their lives, with children to raise and educate, resources were more limited regarding any major home additions.
We worked with Jim, Elaine and the Occupational Therapist to develop and design a sensible way to create first-floor living for Jim. In their traditional two-story, we turned the first floor powder room into an accessible bathroom and the front living room into Jim’s bedroom.
Despite the necessary concessions and more difficult design, the changes to Jim and Elaine’s home have proven to be a blessing to the entire family.
Mr. and Mrs. Schneider top
The Schneider family home in Montgomery had brought many, many years of happy memories. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider raised their four children there and are now grandparents.
Mrs. Schneider, however, had come to the humbling realization that the home she loves was getting harder and harder to live in. With knee problems making it increasingly difficult to navigate the stairs up to the second-floor master bedroom and bath and down to the basement laundry area, she had to literally plan her trips up and down the stairs. I will never forget her comment to me: “I used to be able to fly up and down those steps, two at a time. I just can’t do it anymore.” I could sense and see her frustration.
After she contacted Legacy Builders Group, we met with Mrs. Schneider to talk about her situation and the need to make some changes to help her now and to plan for the future. We partnered together through the design process and, after several renditions, we took our analysis and finalized the best way for the Snyders to live more comfortably in their home.
Barrier free design enhances comfort and ensures safety. For example, the Schneider home changes included a barrier free shower with designer grab bars as well as hand held shower and built-in shower seat with two separate control valves. Doors now have wider openings and there are minimal thresholds at exterior doors. Adaptive design features in the bathroom and laundry room and strategically placed lighting add to the effectiveness of the barrier free development.
In addition to a master bedroom, bathroom, and screened-in porch, the interior space was also reworked to make room for a first-floor laundry, and the powder room was remodeled as well. The Schneider family home continues its legacy of building good memories for their children and grandchildren.
