Accessing your Home through Modification

Sometimes, after a spinal cord injury, your home is no longer accessible and you are told that "your home will require modification". But what are the actual modifications that your home might need? 

 

One common modification, unless your home is level with the ground, is ramp installation

 

Quick Ramp 101 - Ramps must be constructed so that for every 1" of rise there are 12"of run, meaning If your door is 6 inches up, you'll need a 6 foot ramp. 

from THAGroup.org Home health tip: How to build a wheelchair ramp

Any ramp installation must be completed according to the specified code requirements as per the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations - but the read is a bit dry. I find the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) actually explains it a bit better. 

The CMHC also have an entire section called Accessible Housing by Design, going further in depth about renovations/modifications according to different areas of your home (kitchen, bathroom, etc.), home automation, and appropriate appliance selection.

 

For even more information and ideas, linking from the CMHC, you can also visit the center for Universal Design and their online publications section. For example, from the Design Research and Methods Journal there is one article that goes over SIX different accessible stock house plans. OR you could look over a curbless shower installation guide.

While its hard to be told that your home no longer suits your needs, these sites are here to help you understand why and what your options are. The online publications have lots of articles, each filled with ideas that go beyond the basic modifications too, and that can help you narrow down what you want as well as what you need. 

Also, visit our SCIRehab YouTube channel to see how others have modified their homes, like in the example below. I like this video I have included because it goes over good items but also points out other areas that might need modification.  

Funding for Home Modification in NS

There are very few people without financial concerns. When you own a home, those concerns often weigh heavy at the best of times, let alone after a spinal cord injury. Often I've heard people say that it's when you leave the hospital that the REAL rehab even begins. I mean, how are you going to negotiate that uneven walkway at your house, and wouldn't it be easier if the bathroom on the main floor was accessible? 

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If you are not moving, there is a very good chance that your home may need modification - and the Community Services department of the Government of Nova Scotia wants to help you get those modifications completed by providing grants to eligible households.
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Whoa whoa, I know - Eligible. Always a catch.

Depending on your total household income, you *may* be eligible for one of two grants that I will review with you today.

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The grants are:

1. The Disabled Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Homeowners

2. Access-A-Home Program 

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OK, so how do they work?

1. The Disabled Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Homeowners is an up to $16,000 forgivable loan that is intended to help low income homeowners make needed repairs or home modifications. Ramp construction and installation, for example, would qualify. The income limit is dependent on home location and applicants household size - which means if you are part of a household with one working member, an injured spouse, and you also have to support two children, your income limit might have a greater allowance than a household with a single person with no dependants. OH, and you might also be wondering about that forgivable loan part (as was I). In this instance, if you received the grant, used the loan to renovate, then moved - you need to pay back the loan as you basically just made money off of it. However, if you use the loan and do not move for the required amount of years then it will be forgiven - will not require you to pay it back. And I believe we are talking less than 10yrs, but again each case varies. Also - currently the income limit, for HRM in 2011, is up to or less than $29 000 - but again, this limit varies considerably depending on your own personal situation.
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2. Access-A-Home Program. 

This program is a $5000 grant, and the income limit for eligibility, in the HRM in 2011, generally starts around $39,000 (again, can vary significantly, this just to provide an idea). This program is also specific to individuals who must adapt their home to facilitate wheelchair use. The way this program works, once you have completed the application, is an inspector will visit your home and provide specifications that you (the home owner) will then take to two contractors of your choice to receive quotes. And I believe the inspector will ensure that construction meets the specifications prior to releasing the funds for payment - that is why it is crucial that NO construction begins prior to having the inspector set specifications, otherwise the grant will not be provided. In a similar situation, construction that does not meet the inspector set specifications will not be funded. Again, more information is available on the website.
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Finally, a note about the paperwork. 

Applications are often lengthy processes, that take a considerable amount of time and effort. Often this process may seem both daunting and intimidating. That being said, the end product is making your home safe and accessible so you can function independently once you leave the hospital. If you need to seek help to complete these applications; your local housing office should be able to help answer questions and you may already be working with a social worker or occupational therapist who are familiar with this sort of thing.

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There are likely other funding options out there if you do not qualify for these. 

Don't be afraid to contact involved parties, ask questions and network to find out what other resources are out there. 

Independent Living Website Guide

I came across as website today about the Independent Living Website

This website is truly amazing by how extensive its reach is.

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At first I came across the site because of a clothing project it took on "about fashion, clothing and vanity from a seated perspective". It provides free clothing patterns, specifically designed for wheelchair users.  There are patterns for men and women, that include modifications, helpful tips, and starting from scratch. It even includes how to measure yourself, or be measured, considerations when buying fabric, and piece by piece assembly instructions. A jacket example, from the project, is seen below:

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In continuing my investigation of the website, I soon discovered this Sweden based but internationally reaching website is made by the Independent Living Institute (ILI) - a policy development center focused on providing resources for individuals with disabilities. Their mission statement, included from their About Us page on the website, is quoted below:

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"The Independent Living Institute (ILI) is a policy development center specializing in consumer-driven policies for disabled peoples' freedom of choice, self-determination, self-respect and dignity. Our ultimate goal is to promote disabled people’s personal and political power. Towards this end we provide information, training materials and develop solutions for services for persons with extensive disabilities in Sweden and internationally. We are experts in designing and implementing direct payment schemes for personal assistance, mainstream taxi and assistive technology."

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Impressed? So am I! 

Even more so by how they define Independent living on their main page (take a peek!)

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Visit their links page where you are provided with access to 703 links, from topics such as accessibility, aging, education, study, travel and more.  And, as always, each link will often lead you to more and more. There is so much very specialized learning and knowledge that this site offers, and answers that it can lead you to.

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And what, Socrates, is the food of the soul?

Surely, I said, knowledge is the food of the soul.       Plato

Sports and Leisure

This post is all about wheelchair sports and hobbies.

There is a really amazing and extensive website I came across, called d-ability.org. Originally I planned to include several links, paired with the videos on the YouTubeSCIrehab site (yes I mention that site often, but I really want you to go look!), to give a good impression of whats out there. However, this website happily blows me out of the water! This website has described themselves as the "disAbility Leisure, Arts, Sports and Lifestyle WebGuide", and they most definitely have something for everyone.

This is a very succinct introduction: there are several broad categories listed along the top of the website, each filled with an index of options, with each option containing often several examples.

For example, in ArtyFarty, and in Dance, among the many examples is a link to this video:

In Health and Wellness, under Clothing and Fashion, among the 28 choices there is a link to able2wear.co.uk/ with a whole range of designed for wheelchair use clothing.

In Leisure and Outdoors, under Hand Cycling, there are so many links to describe the sport and specific individuals who partake.

And after that, there are still the Sports, Travel and Hot Links categories. Each category is filled with so much to explore, and very conveniently packaged together in one site.  You might even find that a hobbie or sport that you thought you would have to give up, is actually quite popular in the SCI community. Either way, you won't know until you look - Curious yet? :)

Enjoy!

Where are The Women?

Now, I realize this post is geared towards the female perspective so I apologize now.
The thing is, on YouTube, I find WAY more videos about male SCI than females and I am not sure why that is.

So this post is about awareness and challenge.

Asali Johnson has a C5 quadrilplegic injury. In her video on 'A Day With Asali Johnson" she talks about her conversation with her friends, how they might complain about their day then go "oh but that's NOTHING compared to what you are going through!". It's her reaction that I appreciate, and I realize it sounds negative (in terms of suffering), but there is a profound message behind what she is explaining. In her words, see below:

"I don't think that human beings should compare levels of suffering.. Maybe you had a bad day at work or maybe you are having problems with your boyfriend or wife. Or whatever the case is you suffer because of it.  You may not think that that is not the same as my suffering, that my suffering is something different, different kind of suffering but suffering is suffering. "

So I want to share this video with you:

Followed by a challenge - Ladies help get more videos on YouTube! Or on a blog. Just out there. So much can be learned from shared experiences, and I hope for those of you who come across this blog that you feel challenged to do so.

An online Agenda - Sometimes Typing is Easier

 

Do you rather type than write? Lots of people do! So here is a helpful tip for replacing your old written agenda and notes for free! 

 

First let's talk about Typing - do you find you are having trouble with keys repeating from pressing down on a key too long? for examppppllleeee. Well there are built in options in your computer to adjust that and the rate that letters repeat.

 

Go into your control panel and select Keyboard (it could be listed under hardware, or Ease of Access, search for keyboard if required). Once in your control panel (and they are all different) you are looking for options such as repeat rate, repeat delay, bounce keys, slow keys - all these can help you avoid accidental key strokes and even ignore repeated key strokes, or it can just slow the rate of repeating key strokes. Many computer come with these options and it just takes a little exploring on your part. You can even select an option that -beeps- when you use caps or num lock - SO helpful for those of us who tend to hit the caps key accidentally and typically don't notice till much later!

 

Now that typing is down - what's this about a free agenda online?! well read on!

 

Remember a few posts back about the video YouTube account? (if not, you should check it out!) Well, you have an option to create a google email or gmail account. Once created you have opened up the doors to a whole range of accessible options.

 

With gmail accounts you can create your own calendar/agenda, and it has many options to personalize it to function according to your preference. For example - you go into your calendar, select view by day, then double click at a certain time to create an appointment. While creating your appointment, you can even select to have several email reminders sent to you over the course of the day, pops ups on your screen (if you leave the computer open) or each day your calendar will email you your daily agenda at a specified time (mine is 5am) and you can print it to have with you. Even better, you can link your calendar up to others and share content you specify - maybe you have a loved one who would like to add to your schedule.

 

 

And again - this is all free! Easy to use. And super helpful for someone who may not be keen on writing.

 

 

Seating and Positioning

 

I was very discouraged with my first wheelchairs. It took me a couple of years to figure out that your chair is part of your attire. A chair should fit you like a well-tailored suit and its design blend with your personality. When all this works together you hardly know it's under you! ~ Frank (T12 SCI) from Spinal Cord Injuries: Management and Rehabilitation by Sisto, Druin, Sliwinski

 

A properly fitted wheelchair will facilitate maneuvrability, control, and your general mobility to move about and do what you need to do. A poorly fitted chair will do quite the opposite - it can make a ramp seem like an impossible impasse, prevent your maneuvrability, and can negatively affect your overall safety and posture.  

 

So then, how does someone decide what your wheelchair seating and positioning needs are? To answer that question, you should have a look at New South Whales Spinal Cord Injury Service website, specifically their Seating Education modules.

 

The website offers 10 educational modules, each with additional resources such as print-outs, videos, and quizzes. Here is the list of the ten modules:

 

1 - Spinal Cord Injury and Seating

2 - Developing a Client Profile

3 - Hands-on Assessment

4 - Body Measurements

5 - Evaluation of Seating and Wheeled Mobility Systems

6 - Seating Made Easy

7 - Postural Interventions

8 - Pressure Management

9 - Manual Wheelchair

10 - Power Mobility

 

Also, check out the other links on the site, there is so much, its worth spending a few afternoons to go through.