Our Journey to a Wheelchair-Friendly Kitchen

When I was diagnosed with MS, we knew we would eventually have to make some changes to our home.Eventually as my MS progressed, we decided to make some major alterations to future proof our house to make it wheelchair friendly. We realised the current kitchen would not be workable so we decided we would knock the kitchen and study into one room and extend out into the garden. We spent a lot of time trying to come up with a kitchen design to suit our future needs.

I had seen some rise and fall systems on the internet and decided to look at them in more detail, and there were several manufacturers and types on the market to choose from.As we started to plan the kitchen layout, with the recommended turning circles etc required for wheelchair accessibility, we decided we wanted a freestanding rise and fall worktop.After some more investigation we decided that the Granberg solution was perfect for our needs.  We wanted a long freestanding unit that could house a hob and a sink with space for food preparation and an area for tea and coffee making.

We contacted Independent 4 Life and discussed our requirement with them. Ordering was simple. We told them the overall length of the worktop we wanted, (approx. 3m) and they told us what we required and sent us a quotation for everything. We also purchased a sink and waste system.

The equipment arrived in two boxes, the frame in one long box and the two lifting units plus the control system in another. It was easily installed by our kitchen builders. They fixed the frame to the lifting units and set the spacing of everything to accommodate the hob and the sink. The controls were easy to connect; all the parts came with pre-fitted plugs and sockets.

When it was assembled it was measured up for a quartz worktop to match the rest of the kitchen. The kitchen company also fitted the edge trim to match the kitchen cupboards. Finally, in the kitchen we fitted a Neff hide and slide oven within the recommended heights for wheelchair use and one of the larder cupboards has pocket doors which slide back out of the way.

As part of the building work, we also had all the doorways widened to make it easier for wheelchair or mobility scooter accessibility.

I do not have to use a wheelchair around the house yet, but I do need to sit down if I’m going to be cooking/preparing a meal. If I’m standing, I have the worktop set higher than normal, so I don’t have to bend down or stoop. If I’m sitting, I can set the worktop at a height to suit whatever I’m sitting on.I find it really beneficial and I’m sure it will become invaluable as my MS progresses. I can put it to a height that works for me and my wife can put it at a height that works for her.

Everyone I show the Granberg Centerlift to has been really impressed when I demonstrate it to them.