Kitchen Remodel — Southeast Portland, Oregon

Kelsey

Project: This project involved a young family who lives in SE Portland. The oldest child, Kelsey, is severely disabled. She is unable to move about by herself and is confined to a specially equipped wheelchair. Kelsey needs constant vigilance since she is totally dependant on others for her basic needs. She is not able to take in anything by mouth so she is given food through a feeding tube. A good portion of mother Lynn’s day is spent preparing special formulated foods for Kelsey and meals for the rest of the family. When ReFIT first met this family Lynn was not able to get Kelsey in the kitchen in her wheelchair without having to struggle and wiggle the chair to get her through a very narrow opening. It was also difficult working in the kitchen when Kelsey was in her chair since there was hardly any room to maneuver around her.

We managed to open up the kitchen so that it was a lot easier for Kelsey to get into it. Not only is there easier access into the kitchen, but now with more floor space Kelsey can remain in the kitchen while Lynn keeps an eye on her and works on food preparation.

Partners: Dodd’s Environmental, Flanneries Drop Box, City of Portland OPDR, Keith Brown Building Materials, NW Central Plumbing, George Davidson Construction, Sam Harding Electric, Insulation Contracting Co., Wayne’s Superior Drywall, Universal Drywall, M n' M Cabinets, Cronin Co., Clackamas Custom Countertops, Kelly-Goodwin, Columbia Forest Products, McCoy Stair and Millwork Door, Contract Furnishings Mart, Another General Contractor Inc., Sorrento Construction, Portland Sash & Door, Blue Ribbon Construction, ARC Restoration Services, Inc., Design Link, Stuart Koster Construction, TDC, Home Instead Senior Care, Washington County DAVS, Sunset Environmental Financial Future Associates, Inc., Markt & Co. Construction, Matthews’ Main St. Paint Co., Globe Lighting, George Morlan Plumbing, ORA Staff, In–House Architecture

Result: Lynn made this statement about her new kitchen. “I didn’t realize how simply wonderful this kitchen was until the other day when my 6 year old Sean was able to push his sister into the kitchen in her wheelchair to be with him while he helped me prepare dinner. Something so simple yet he was never able to do it before. Thank you, ReFIT.”