Wheelchair-Friendly Kitchen for Mom
Donation protected
Hi. My name is Michael Yarsky, and I'm writing you all for help for my mother. Her name is Carol. She was diagnosed with polio in 1955, the same year that Jonas Salk created the vaccine in her hometown of Pittsburgh. Her mother, it turns out, was an "anti-vaxxer," and my mother has lived with polio all of her life.
She had always had limited mobility, but as time wears on and post-polio syndrome begins to wreak its havoc, other maladies begin: spinal stenosis, herniated discs, neck surgery, swollen legs, and chronic pain. She has been wheelchair-bound for 15 years, and simply cannot do what she enjoyed to do. She does, however, love her dog Molly and she loves to cook.
The joy she takes in cooking, however, is hindered by a small, cramped kitchen that is barely accessible and not friendly for the wheelchair-bound. She can't reach certain cabinets. Leaning over a sink hurts her back. Very little is in reach and she can't do what she loves.
But, there is hope: the kitchen can become accessible. Doorways can be adjusted, drawers can be moved, space can be made so that it's wheelchair-friendly and ergonomic. It just takes some renovations and some time, and she could have a great passion of hers back.
I am here to try to aid a differently-abled person to still having access to the joys and hobbies in her life without exacerbating her condition or worsening the pain. It's tough for her anymore to share her meals with the Allegheny County veterans because of the physical toll it takes. An entirely new wheelchair-friendly and accessible kitchen would do wonders for her.
Thank you all for your time.
Best,
Mike
She had always had limited mobility, but as time wears on and post-polio syndrome begins to wreak its havoc, other maladies begin: spinal stenosis, herniated discs, neck surgery, swollen legs, and chronic pain. She has been wheelchair-bound for 15 years, and simply cannot do what she enjoyed to do. She does, however, love her dog Molly and she loves to cook.
The joy she takes in cooking, however, is hindered by a small, cramped kitchen that is barely accessible and not friendly for the wheelchair-bound. She can't reach certain cabinets. Leaning over a sink hurts her back. Very little is in reach and she can't do what she loves.
But, there is hope: the kitchen can become accessible. Doorways can be adjusted, drawers can be moved, space can be made so that it's wheelchair-friendly and ergonomic. It just takes some renovations and some time, and she could have a great passion of hers back.
I am here to try to aid a differently-abled person to still having access to the joys and hobbies in her life without exacerbating her condition or worsening the pain. It's tough for her anymore to share her meals with the Allegheny County veterans because of the physical toll it takes. An entirely new wheelchair-friendly and accessible kitchen would do wonders for her.
Thank you all for your time.
Best,
Mike
Organizer
Mike Yarsky
Organizer
Homestead, PA
