Language
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
  • Swedish

Insurance Funding Request

Did you know Firefly products may be funded by your insurance?

Learn More
Back to Firefly Blog

Adaptations

Adaptations

We sold our last house when our triplets were little over a year old.

They say moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do...I doubt they factor in triplets to that saying, especially one with additional needs when you yourself have a serious neurological condition (Multiple Sclerosis).

We moved because our now six year old son was in need of a house that would accommodate a wheelchair, standing frame, hoist and any other equipment he would eventually need.

We have been through four and a half years of negotiating to get plans finalised and agreed then signed off on etc.

We’ve compromised in that we have a two storey house with a double garage that was fit to be adapted.

Those works finally began before Christmas in 2020 and are due to be finished in a few weeks, much to our amazement.

So what does this mean to our family?

Well! For one, we have a permanent ramp to our front door that is the right gradient for our son to go down AND up himself!

See the top photo and the joy on Jacob’s face!

It is amazing to see as we’ve been using a temporary steel ramp for our two step access while we waited for these works.

Jacob also now has a bedroom downstairs that will have a fully working hoist, toilet, changing bench and shower.

He might not be moving downstairs for some time yet to sleep overnight but he will certainly be utilising that space for his physio, changes, bathing etc.

It has a storage room to the side and we really can’t explain how welcome that is when he is a child with high physical needs and a lot of bulky equipment that isn’t the easiest to store.

He has direct access to his room from outside which is going to be invaluable to him (and a terror to us) in his teenage years!

As Jacob has epilepsy, the chances are my husband and I will move downstairs at some point to help keep Jacob safe, but we’ll do whatever works for our family.

As I also have MS it isn’t out of the question I will also be a wheelchair user at some point so we need to be mindful of that.

Thankfully, we were able to buy a house that should accommodate our needs for years to come, if not forever, although my husband is convinced we’ll move to the country one day!

In the meantime, we are totally in love with the new freedom these changes have given our son at a time when he really needs to know doing things himself IS possible with a few changes.

We also have a new car (read my other blog about that if you’re bored!) so things are starting to get easier in terms of physical lifting etc which is hugely needed with a strapping six year old!

He’s also a typical six year old in terms of emotional control (or lack of) so we’ve had the doors widened to accommodate his speedy manoeuvres around the house!

I’m looking forward to many years of enjoyment from the changes that are being done by these excellent builders and tradesmen.

I hope they see the difference it is making to our lives and see the joy on our son’s face as he whizzes down the ramp (albeit MUCH too fast!).

Firefly Blog

Real life stories, issues and experiences of day to day life by special needs parents and
healthcare professionals.

Katrina Dorrian

Meet Our Blogger

Hi! I'm Katrina, I have 8yr old triplets; one who has spina bifida, hydrocephalus and epilepsy. I also have MS, so we've a busy (but happy) house!

View Katrina’s Profile

Become a Firefly Blogger

Would you like to write for Firefly? Join our blogger network of parents, therapists and professionals.

Get In Touch

Become a subscriber today

Join over 40,000 subscribers to our weekly newsletter with insightful articles just when you need them.

Join Mailing List

By using our site you agree to our use of cookies. Click here for more info.

Accept & Close

No Interest if paid in full in 6 months on

Purchases on $99+

US Customers only. Subject to credit approval. See terms below

Paypal Credit

Pay now or pay over time with PayPal Credit. Just use PayPal Credit in PayPal checkout.

Subject to credit approval.

Purchases of $99+:

No Interest if paid in full in 6 months on purchases of $99 or more.

  • A minimum monthly payment is required and may or may not pay off the promotional purchase by the end of the 6 month period.
  • No interest will be charged on the purchase if you pay it off in full within 6 months. If you do not, interest will be charged on the purchase from the purchase date at the Purchase APR applicable to your account.
  • For New Accounts: Variable Purchase APR is 25.49%. The APR is accurate as of 6/1/2018 and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate (as defined in your credit card agreement). Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
  • Individual items that are less than $99 qualify for special financing when combined for a total of $99 or more in a single transaction.
  • Multiple separate transactions of less than $99 per transaction cannot be combined to meet the minimum purchase amount.

Purchases of $98.99 or less:

Buy now and pay over time with PayPal Credit when you spend $98.99 or less.

  • If you pay your balance in full each month by the payment due date that is on your statement, you can avoid paying interest.
  • Or, make minimum monthly payments, or any additional amount of your choosing, until you've paid off your balance according to your standard account terms. Please note, interest charges may apply.
  • We'll send you email reminders when your payments are due. You can also keep track of your account and view your statements online at any time.

About PayPal Credit

  • PayPal Credit is a reusable credit line available on purchases at thousands of stores that accept PayPal. It's also available for purchases on eBay and exclusively at thousands of other online stores. Plus, it comes with the same security and flexibility you trust from PayPal.
  • If approved, we start you off with a minimum credit line of at least $250. See FAQs for more info.
  • For New Accounts: Variable Purchase APR is 25.49%. The APR is accurate as of 6/1/2018 and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate (as defined in your credit card agreement). Minimum interest charge is $2.00. See Terms and Conditions tab for more info.
  • If you miss a payment your late fee could be up to $38, even less if it's your first time. See FAQs for more info.

Please wait...