"Real
Life Disabled Housing Solutions"
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When
diagnosed with a chronic disease that leaves you overwhelmed
physically, there is definitely the mental impact of grieving
over the lost health and living a new way of life with illness.
Whether it was anticipated or not, when hit with chronic
illness, you will find that the life you once knew is gone, and
preparation for your new lifestyle needs will be critical in
providing yourself quality of life.
There are
many needs that you once thought were absolutely necessary that
are no longer such, and other needs you will find now more
important. For
example if keeping your home was a big priority to you, once you
become chronically ill, cleaning the house can most likely go
way down on the list of chores to complete.
Most individuals who become so ill find that one of the
big stressors is the house.
The house may be harder to manage in cleaning due to the
size or complexity (stairs) of getting around the home.
Also lower income as a result of loss of job, can lead to
financial burdens by keeping your present home.
To manage your illness and quality of life means looking
at your housing needs and develop a list of what is a must and
what can you live without. Those
who are ill must strive to keep their health as stable as
possible and this is definitely an area that can help or hurt
you depending on your ability to assess it properly.
When I first became disabled I was a single mother, renting a home for my daughter and myself. Not knowing what were important considerations like a home with stairs or one level, choosing rent that was designed for multi-incomes, and depending on “friends” to be viable roommates to help with the rent were all wrong decisions that I had to learn the hard way. My co-tenant left suddenly after only 1 month into the rental agreement. I was left with an oversized home with a huge upper level where my daughter’s bedroom was, and now a contract to carry out despite my roommates vanishing act. This was a very harsh lesson, and was the best lesson I could learn.
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I hear people
who are disabled many times tell me they are going through
foreclosure. It
hurts to have more taken away like your home, after incurring
loss in health. However
affordability and housing needs that fit your lifestyle are
imperative. Once I
learned my harsh lesson, I decided to purchase an affordable
home, and a small one even though it was not what I had dreamed
for me and my daughter. I
must have looked at 50 or more homes for sale before buying one.
I had to have a home that was affordable, was big enough
for our needs but small enough for me to manage.
Additionally, where my bedroom was located was one of the
most important criteria in finding the right house.
I needed a bedroom that had a bathroom very close, but be
able to reach the kitchen with just a few steps.
The 2 story home I lived in prior to buying required me
to walk through 2 rooms to get to the kitchen.
It didn’t take long before I knew that was an
adjustment I needed to make.
When I found the home that had the small yard, the
small square footage but the arrangement and required rooms to
fit our lifestyle, I was sold.
To this day I
am thrilled to have a home that makes me feel so much more
comfortable and within my limits of capability.
I have a mortgage payment that is within my budget, and
even with further loss of some income from my Long Term
Disability provider, I still had some gap in my budget to afford
my mortgage. I
had to give up a lake home that didn’t fit my health needs and
had an outrageous rent. However,
I am not haunted anymore by a home that is overwhelming just to
walk through or to get to my daughter’s room.
The cleaning required for the huge 2 story home is
finally over. Instead
I have what I need and within my means.
Accepting my new lifestyle, along with a home that
offered me the needed quality of life has made my life much
better, and my families also.
I hope my experience helps you cope with the decision of finding
affordable accessible housing that meeting your needs.
Christine Messaros
--------the end
My goal is to help you restore your peace of
mind about where you live and the house you live in... and isn't that something we all deserve?
Happy House Hunting!
Brian Therrien
p.s. - To Learn More about How
To Find Affordable Housing In Safe Neighborhoods Click
Here
p.s.s. Visit
our members area and learn about other resources that will help
you weave through the maze of disability related issues. Click
here
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