Last Updated on 25/02/2020 by steveperry
Dolphin Lifts Midlands was delighted to be involved in this week’s episode of DIYSOS which took place in Bromsgrove. With offices in Oldbury and Tipton, the company was perfectly situated to help the DIYSOS Team convert the home of Karis Lane and her sister Jo which was completely unsuitable for wheelchair user Karis who was born with Cerebral Palsy as the doorways were too narrow for her wheelchair and the was no access for Karis to the first floor.
Karis had been living with her mother Karen but due to Karen’s own health issues which included severe rheumatoid arthritis – which made caring for Karis extremely challenging both physically and mentally – combined with Karen’s partner’s recent cancer diagnosis Karis’s Jo and her partner Will suggested Karis lived with them.
To ensure she could work more flexibly and provide help at home for Karis, hairdresser Jo converted part of her home into a salon so she could work from home and set about fundraising to so they could make the entire house more accessible and wheelchair friendly. However, their mother Karen took it upon herself to try and help and contacted the DIYSOS team and soon plans were underway for a home conversion and two storey extension!
“The aim of the conversion was to ensure Karis could be as independent as possible and a vital part of this was ensuring Karis could access her upstairs apartment from the ground floor. “As soon as we got the call, we knew we had to help Karis and her family so we immediately spoke to Stiltz (the home lifts specialist for whom we are a distributor) as we felt one of their through the floor lift would be perfect” explained Steve Wilson, General Manager, Dolphin Lifts Midlands.
Following an assessment of the property and Karis’s needs it was decided by Dolphin Lifts Midlands and Stiltz that a Trio+ wheelchair-accessible home lift would be the perfect solution. Not only would it allow Karis to access her upstairs apartment independently but it would also eliminate the risks associated with Jo and Will carrying Karis upstairs.
On seeing the finished home and lift for the first time, the Lane family were overwhelmed. “At the touch of a button and with a little bit of pixie dust, I’m elevated from the ground floor into my apartment without needing to be carried up the stairs. I feel like a princess riding in my own home lift, it is so heavenly” commented Karis.
Karis’ sister Jo was just as impressed: “It’s a lovely looking home lift that takes up little space in my property and has taken away the fear of falling when carrying my sister up and down the stairs. Karis now has free movement around the whole of my house so she can fully participate with the family. The domestic lift has given Karis complete independence and is so much better than a stairlift which would have meant we still needed to help Karis. I also think people tend to relate stair lifts with elderly people which is just not right for Karis or our home. We are so grateful to Dolphin Lifts Midlands and Stiltz Home Lifts UK.”
“Seeing and hearing what a difference our involvement will make to Karis and he rest of the family is incredibly rewarding. There was a lot of work involved as we had to fit in with numerous other trades people during the project but the end result is absolutely worth it. On behalf of everyone here at Dolphin Lifts Midlands I would like to wish the Karis, Jo and Will years of happiness in their new home” concluded Steve.
Established for over 30 years, Dolphin Lifts Midlands Ltd is an independent family run business with a reputation for providing its customers with high quality access solutions which are backed by superb levels of customer care and after sales support. For more information on the full range of products available or to book a no obligation assessment call 0800 032 2080 or visit www.dolphinliftsmidlands.co.uk
Published: 25th November 2019
