Moving home is a difficult process for everyone, but people with special needs find it vastly more difficult. There’s the issue of vitally important facilities such as the location of the toilet; the bathroom set-up; level access; ground floor, wide doorways; suitable hallway; sunny/airy environment; outlook; windows etc.  Not to mention other vital factors such as the cost of rent, location, and accessibility to necessary health services.

All of these specific requirements often need to come bundled up neatly within a specified time span. Run out of time through lack of appropriate selection, and you face rent rises, unhappy landlords, and a sense of hopelessness in an otherwise abundant flourishing economic environment. 

Shelter is one of a human being’s most essential needs, even before food humans seek a safe roof over their head. I am currently at that point. Sure, there are shelters out there, homes to live in. But most places do not accommodate the potential needs of individuals’ i.e. aging, accidents, or physical challenges brought on by temporary sickness or disease. 

Ten years ago, I merrily moved into my current home. I was still holding onto walls at that stage, ricocheting from here to there, but moving independently to fulfil my daily physical needs. As my mobility decreased with Primary Progressive MS, I began using a walker. Next, I began using the walker to take a few steps then would turn to sit on the seat and pull myself along the walls. It was then—approximately two years after moving into my present home—that I realised how wonderfully well this villa had been set up for me. Even the bathroom is manageable because of the set up. I can manage the shower—with a hobble—and I receive my daily dose of vitamin D sitting under the window safely by the sink, on a strong wooden board over the bath. 

The remainder of most my days are working away at my computer in my lovely bedroom-cum-office with an outlook of near and distant mountains, bird flight paths, and amazing sunsets.  Working on my autobiography is my main work. I also write inspirational children stories and poems reminding us of our ability to fly despite it all. I’ve given motivational talks along these lines to local schools and groups of adults. And now I need to find inspirational wings, more than ever.  Almost like the statement: do or die. 

Ironically, a housing commission home would not be suitable for my particular needs. Usually these houses offer wide doorways and wide hallways. As mentioned, I use my walker in my present situation, sometimes taking only a few steps and sometimes walking all the way to the loo. When I can’t lift my legs any further I turn and sit on my walker to pull myself along our quite narrow hallway and when I get off the walker, I am already half-standing, making the transferring process 90 percent easier than when trying to haul myself out of a low and cumbersome wheelchair. For me to live in a home requiring constant wheelchair use would be very exhausting and depreciating. My leg muscle strength would quickly decline, as would my positive, healing vision. I understand why wheelchair bound people can move to catheters, and catheters often lead to much deeper complications such as infections and hospital visits. 

So to maintain my health despite my MS and even with it, I need to stay on my feet, and this home allows me to do this, simply by its set-up. One of life’s fundamental truths is change, so this move is a part of it; it’s just a matter trust. And I’m doing everything in my power to do just that. Trust!