Dear Richard,
The split level my husband and I bought in 1988 became a nightmare by 2005. I was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in 1993, and had to stop work as a music teacher by 1998.
My walking, the stairs in the house, the narrow halls and doorways and the small bathrooms became increasingly unaccessable. My days for the last year were spent in a lift chair in my living room.
Then, my husband came home after seeing the Horizons North home show last July 2005. "You've GOT to see this house!!!"
We had been investigating building a house, or even leaving the area, but no one seemed to understand what I needed.
When my husband wheeled me into 200 S. Rockingham Way, I knew we had found it. The inconspicuous ramp to the front door, the wide doors, the spacious halls and rooms, the beautiful high ceilings and the dramatic colors and selection of fixtures made me sure that if we were lucky enough to get this house, that part my former life and that of my husband's would substantially return. As we drove away, I said "you wanna buy it?!?"
The idea that I could once again do my housework, laundry, cooking, showering, toileting, going outside, and wheeling around on the beautiful hardwood floor unaided meant the world to me.
This Universal design house is perfect for anyone. Different height countertops in the kitchen, a gourmet kitchen-aide kitchen, roll-out kitchen cabinet shelves, huge roll-in showers, roll-under sinks in the bathrooms, a convenient powder room off the great room, a possible care -givers room/den/office in the front of the house and, large roll-in closets throughout. There are also grab-bars wherever I needed them.
It is a truly beautiful home that was made with great care and consideration. Richard collaborated with Danise Levine from the University at Buffalo department for Inclusive Design incorporating ADA guidelines while making a beautiful home that makes life easy without looking at all like a "handicapped" home or a surgical supply center! This home is the home of our dreams.
Bravo Richard and thank you.
Melinda and Ulysses Kontos
