Community Chat

[LilacTree]

I'm still trying to get over the fact that his parents LEFT him this way!!

[kdgn]

Have you had him check into insurance? After a friend became disabled, he and his wife had a home built for their family. Insurance paid to have handicapped access to the house and the master bathroom. A wheel-in shower and the bathroom sinks were modified. He was a quadriplegic due to a vehicular accident.

[dooBdoo]

On 11/7/2014 misspammie said:

no wonder, Raven, you've always had 'something' that caught my heart in all these forums. have read most of this thread, but just thinking off the cuff,,,,,I'd hit HDepot big time and also Lowes,,,,,sad but true, they'd absolutely LOVE this type of PR for themselves. don't bash me anyone (experience)

It's a good point, misspammie. Businesses, groups, people love the attention they garner when their good deeds are made public. However, the young man in question might not relish the idea of his circumstances going so public. Even in today's world, there are still some people who don't want to be in the spotlight.

[chrystaltree]

This is the time of year for giving; and what you are attempting is a wonderful thing. But....some of the story is troubling. Who owns the house? If the kid owns the house now and if you really did do some research and know postively that he doesn't have the resources for the renovation; then proceed with a clear mind. But if the parents still own the house; you might want to stop and give this some thought because then you aren't renovating HIS kitchen, you are renovating his parent's kitchen. Can you assure all the wonderful people who will dontate time and supplies and labor that the PARENTS deserve this? For all you know, they could be well off financially and able to take care of this themselves. How do you know he isn't living in the house until the parents sell it? It's wonderfully generous idea but you are only thinking about the young man. If you are spear heading this thing, you also have to consider all the people who will help in this endeavor and all the people who will donate.

[chrystaltree]

On 11/7/2014 Ford1224 said:

I'm still trying to get over the fact that his parents LEFT him this way!!

That's the first thing that I found troubling along with WHO actually owns the house and why would anyone proceed with such a thing without actually getting the go ahead from the recipient. It's quite possible that the young man wouldn't want all this. She's a good person but she seems to be making 1000 big presumptions just because the kid is in a wheelchair.

[raven-blackbird]

On 11/7/2014 misspammie said:

no wonder, Raven, you've always had 'something' that caught my heart in all these forums. have read most of this thread, but just thinking off the cuff,,,,,I'd hit HDepot big time and also Lowes,,,,,sad but true, they'd absolutely LOVE this type of PR for themselves. don't bash me anyone (experience)

here's the deal with HD and Lowes...........they will donate, I'm sure of that, but what they will want to donate is in stock cabinets...........those are low end BUT more importantly, they are not ADA compliant and that's the problem.........if it weren't for the 9 in. toe kick requirement, I could use the cabinets he has..........I can't modify what he has because with a 9" toe kick I need cabinets boxes no higher then 24" and even that is pushin it, the countertop will be.5" above max, so in stock won't help............what I would probably have to do is take wall cabinets with a height of 18" and increase the depth to 20" add a drawer box on top of it to get the overall 24" height, then have the installers build a toe kick of 9" to mount all of this on.......do a pull from the wall of 3.75" and cleat the back for c-top support and to allow for the space needed for the sink. I can get away with a sink collar for the sink base and use some panels and a door to cover the plumbing...........but NONE OF THIS I will now for sure until my appt. with him at his house and I can see what is there.......................................................raven

[raven-blackbird]

On 11/7/2014 chrystaltree said:

On 11/7/2014 Ford1224 said:

I'm still trying to get over the fact that his parents LEFT him this way!!

That's the first thing that I found troubling along with WHO actually owns the house and why would anyone proceed with such a thing without actually getting the go ahead from the recipient. It's quite possible that the young man wouldn't want all this. She's a good person but she seems to be making 1000 big presumptions just because the kid is in a wheelchair.

the kid owns the house............the parents left it to him, he's on the deed per my conversation with him the other day........that is all I know for now.............this whole deal is in the beginning stages..........but I still want to get my ducks in a row IF this is a go............it's that simple ladies..............................raven

[minkbunny]

I cannot believe in all your years of kitchen design this is the first time you have encountered this type of situation.

I am certain (yes certain) there are many sources out there to assist you and him. My best to this young man, as other said, I cannot believe he was just abandoned by his family.

[raven-blackbird]

On 11/7/2014 chrystaltree said:

This is the time of year for giving; and what you are attempting is a wonderful thing. But....some of the story is troubling. Who owns the house? If the kid owns the house now and if you really did do some research and know postively that he doesn't have the resources for the renovation; then proceed with a clear mind. But if the parents still own the house; you might want to stop and give this some thought because then you aren't renovating HIS kitchen, you are renovating his parent's kitchen. Can you assure all the wonderful people who will dontate time and supplies and labor that the PARENTS deserve this? For all you know, they could be well off financially and able to take care of this themselves. How do you know he isn't living in the house until the parents sell it? It's wonderfully generous idea but you are only thinking about the young man. If you are spear heading this thing, you also have to consider all the people who will help in this endeavor and all the people who will donate.

what his parents deserve or don't deserve I could care less about.............the kid does, for that matter ANYONE with a disability deserves to live as best as they can a NORMAL life.......and I may simply think that based on an emotional response stemming from my father's situation........but this I do know..........paraplegics don't live all that long......when your lower extremities don't move, organs go into atrophy.......and pretty important organs to your existence...........the death isn't pleasant either........so.........I MAY have an opportunity to make his time here a little easier........do you really think I'm not going to try and make that happen?????.............I always do my homework and I always know what I'm getting myself into...........and I always seem to get myself into some pretty challenging situations..........but I always come out on top..........I will continue to do just that..................................................raven

[raven-blackbird]

On 11/7/2014 minkbunny said:

I cannot believe in all your years of kitchen design this is the first time you have encountered this type of situation.

I am certain (yes certain) there are many sources out there to assist you and him. My best to this young man, as other said, I cannot believe he was just abandoned by his family.

Actually this is a first for me...........have I done ADA units before.........heck yeah I'm in the middle of a huge complex and have 8 ADA units going as I type..........but this IS the first time I've had some young kid come in..........I don't think it's a case of his parents deserting him........that's not the sense I got from him.........what I did get was his parents were moving to another state and he refused to go.........for whatever reasons and they are his reasons.........and I get that..........my father would have done the same thing had it not been for my sister and I...........he didn't move back into parent's house for his benefit or needs but for ours..........................................raven