Change is never easy, however, it’s sometimes necessary. I’ve been living in the city of St. Louis for over a decade now. Times, people, and life….is just changing. And that’s okay.
My parents came up with the awesome idea to build an apartment for me in their home, in St. Louis County. Think of it as a basement apartment if I could do stairs. Since stairs and wheelchairs aren’t besties, my folks found an architect, designers, technology people, and a crew to build me a suite in their home. Not because I won’t be independent, but because they are aging, and traveling 45 minutes away, weekly, is getting tough, and frankly expensive.
My new apartment will include a sitting room, bedroom and bathroom, much like I have currently. So, I’ll probably end up more independent because even though they’ll be close by, I still feel like I should do whatever it is on my own. I’ll also have automatic doors for entry and a concrete ramp to come and go. Oh, and a furry service dog as well. He makes things easy, albeit hairy, but fun.
With my Stretto Power Wheelchair with iLevel® technology, I’ll be able to help get things off shelves for myself or my family, I will continue to do all my own laundry at iLevel with a stackable washer and dryer. I’ll have to put laundry away like I do now, and it’s a breeze at iLevel.
There will be lots to do in the area as well. Most of it can be done at iLevel. Concerts, parades, food truck Fridays, nights at the local theatre. The theatre is cool because I performed there as a kid.
Once the move happens, I will be performing in a benefit concert for my former high school choir director who passed away. I will sing onstage with my peers while at standing height. Maybe I will even MC a little.
Some friends of mine live a few blocks away so I can go out with them and use iLevel on walks, nights out at summer concerts, or just hanging at a bar for dinner. Life moves fast. It doesn’t stop. Neither does independence. I will keep documenting my life at iLevel, cause the view’s great up here!
About Alison Chancellor: Alison is a friend of Quantum. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, where she cheers on her beloved St. Louis Blues at hockey games. Click here to learn more about Alison.