Home.
Living with a disability comes with many challenges. One of the most common challenges is mobility. WIth the generosity of our amazing friends and family we were able to fully fund a van that would accommodate Liam’s powerchair and help us to keep him on the move and active in the world.
We are about to tackle the next big barrier that people with disabilities face, finding appropriate housing.
Our current home has been a perfect ‘starter home’ for our family. We moved in when Liam was still growing in my body. We had all the dreams that a budding family of three could imagine. Paint a nursery, enjoy playing in our fenced in backyard and then sit around the fireplace during our cold Ohio winters. It has truly been a home to love.
Pinewood Derby 2018
We are now facing the reality that this house will not work for our family. Not only are our children growing older, they are growing larger. They need space that we just don’t have. Liam currently can’t use his wheelchair in our house, luckily, he doesn’t have to, yet.
Our door ways are too tight and the bathrooms are comically small. It just won’t work.
We could invest a large amount of money in rehauling the entire house to make it work, or we could move. We always knew that this home wouldn’t be our ‘forever home’ so now it is time to make the next step.
We have given our amazing friend and realtor the challenging task of finding a home that meets our large list of needs. Due to our desire to stay in Oxford and the Talawanda school district we have limited options. Sure, we could build, but to be honest, that sounds terrible to me.
Liam needs a home with a main floor master that we can make all his. Mark needs a home office that isn’t stuffed with all of my teacher supplies. He shouldn’t have to explain to co-workers in Dubui or London why there are stickers and paints all around him. I also have my own dreams of creating a preschool in our home so a full basement would be amazing.
Miami Hockey
When we started on this journey, I was completely willing to set aside my own goals and dreams to make sure that Liam had everything. I’m realizing now that I too need to have a home and a career that makes me feel satisfied.
Our home also needs to be a place that Liam and Lydia can feel like they can have their friends over to play. I grew up in a home that all my friends knew that they could just walk right on in without knocking. I want that for my children. I need that for Liam. He may not have the option to easily go to a friends house. They may have too many stairs, or a small bathroom that he can’t maneuver. We need our home to be the place to hang.
There may come a day very soon that we call on our handy friends and loving neighbors to help us to build a ramp, widen a doorway or open a shower. I am so thankful that we have the love and support of all of you. We know that we can make this move without fear because we have your help.