Future proofing my home has taken away the fear of tomorrow so I can enjoy today to the full, Kate Nash explains
There is no denying that Kate Nash OBE is an incredibly determined woman. She is best known for her work as a disability rights activist and her support for employers during their journey to becoming disability-confident. But she is also one of the 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis.
Kate was diagnosed with Still’s disease, one type of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 15 years, and despite the various joint replacements she has had over the past three decades, the nature of her condition means that she does not expect to walk into old age.
While Kate’s work continues to challenge people’s perceptions of what can be achieved in the workplace, the inaccessible design of her old house meant that there were many barriers preventing her from having the independence and confidence she wanted at home.
In her old home even the most basic of movements – such as sitting down and getting up from low seats – were accompanied by excessive joint pain. As Kate says, “most homes are not designed for folks who need a bit of height”, and the obstacles she faced in the home were not dissimilar to the experiences of millions of others.
However, in true Kate Nash style, these difficulties were not something she was willing to settle for.
Taking action
A friend suggested she speak to a specialist company that designs future-proofed bathrooms, to see if they could help her create a home that met her needs both now and in the future.
A design team from Motion Spot worked closely with Kate to create a space that was accessible, but wouldn’t turn her house into a clinical, hospital-like environment. The new accessible features around the home are not always immediately obvious. The bathroom, for example, includes non-slip tiles, which are a refreshing alternative to the traditional vinyl flooring found in many accessible adaptations.
“My toilet is set at a higher height than the average person’s, meaning it’s much less painful to sit down and get up from,” Kate explains.
Fixtures such as the bi-folding shower doors and contemporary basin would be welcome in anyone’s bathroom. But both have been designed with future-proofing in mind. The bi-folding doors can be folded back to the wall, which will provide Kate with enough space to comfortably use a wheelchair in the future. The basin is wheelchair accessible and the taps are easy to use for people with poor dexterity. And the hand towel rails can be used as hand grips for greater support when needed.
The impact of the changes has been outstanding, Kate enthuses:
“Being able to use my bathroom quickly and easily as well as safely is a joy. The thought that has been put into my access requirements means that I can continue to live my busy lifestyle in the city and not worry so much about needing the help of others. Future proofing takes away the fear of tomorrow. It means I can nest and snuggle and enjoy every day without the niggling feeling that I’m not getting the best from life.”
• For more about Kate Nash visit www.katenashassociates.com.
• For more about Motion Spot, who designed Kate’s house, visit www.motionspot.co.uk or tel 020 3735 5139.
• To share your story on the Arthritis Digest website, click here.
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