"This finally feels like my home" - Steve’s Story

Steve Purse, who lives in Rhyl is an avid campaigner, and has been to Parliament campaigning on multiple occasions for recognition of the impact of nuclear testing on families of personnel.

Living with short stature and type two respiratory failure, his previous residence did not allow him to live independently, and he was unable to use his powered wheelchair within the home.

Steve

Steve and his family joined the Specialist Housing Register in January 2021. By working closely with the Council’s Specialist Housing Register Manager and Occupational Therapists, Steve and his family were able to move to a more suitable property with adaptations, which took extensive research to ensure that they were suitable to meet the needs of Steve, but also, be usable by the whole family.

These adaptations have enabled Steve to live more independently, and improve the quality of life for both his family, and himself.

Rise and Fall Hob adaption

In house resources were utilised to complete an assessment for Steve in order to understand his requirements within a kitchen environment.

The reablement suite at Hafan Deg Day Centre in Rhyl was utilised by Steve and his family to test out and measure the bespoke range elements needed in their new home.

The suite at Hafan Deg aims to replicate a home and includes an ergonomic adjustable countertop and easy access oven, allowing easy interaction and measurements where needed. It was identified that adaptations that had not been completed before would need to be considered to accommodate Steve’s reduced reach.

Through the specialist housing register, properties like Steve’s are acquired through Registered Social Landlords, adaptations can be completed in these properties to suit the individual, enabling residents to live fulfilling and independent lives.

Speaking on his experience, Steve said:

“Where we lived prior to this was really unsuitable, to the point where I couldn’t even get my wheelchair in the house. There were narrow doorways and nothing was really in reach for me, it wasn’t a family home really.

We got a phone call to say that this property had become available, and when we saw it, we thought, wow this looks really nice. I can get my wheelchair straight into the house now from the drive. I suppose some people might take that for granted, but for me that was new and was a big thing.”

Working collaboratively with a local specialist supplier, a bathroom was designed featuring a bespoke rise and fall toilet and sink to enable Steve to complete his own personal care, safe transfers and help with his independence. Due to restrictions of the design of the items, a solution was found to embed the toilet and sink into the concrete floor of the bathroom, allowing for the lowest height to be achieved to suit Steve’s requirements.

Adapted toilet unit

Speaking on the adaptions at his home, Steve said:

“The rise and fall toilet is a real gamechanger for me. As a technological piece of equipment, it really is quite sophisticated. That to me is the biggest part of my independence, is the toilet.”

As well as a rise and fall toilet, the bathroom features bespoke armrests and a bespoke shower that can be used by the whole family.

The kitchen at Steve’s home has also been re-developed, and features a rise and fall hob, sink and bespoke oven and placement of taps for the sink enabling Steve to pour himself a drink and access hand and dish washing facilities, a task Steve was previously unable to undertake.

Steve said:

“The sink is a rise and fall, and the taps have been adjusted so that I can operate them and do the washing up.

The hob also rises and falls, with the controls within easy reach, so I can cook, and the oven door is a slide and hide, meaning I can operate it properly and safely. The table is also wheelchair accessible.”

The property has not only helped Steve, but has brought the whole family together and reduced Steve’s reliance on others for everyday tasks.

“The toilet is amazing, it rises and falls and can be a bespoke height for the whole family to use.

Now that the interior of the property has been adapted, everything is in reach.

This finally feels like my home now.”