Mobility and Moving – A Minefield Downsizing

It sounds so orderly and streamlined, right? But as a quadriplegic who recently downsized after 20 years of living in the same place, I can attest that moving is anything but easy when you have a disability. It is like conducting a large orchestra, but as director, you must use your voice more than your muscles.

Individuals with disabilities have unique needs that require extra research and planning well before the move. It takes patience, organization, fortitude, and help from others. The following tips will hopefully make your move a smooth process.

• Start early

  The moving process takes much longer than you expect. My husband (also a wheelchair user) and I began the search for our new place six months prior to moving. Accessible housing is hard to find and will likely need time-consuming modifications.
  
  

• Prioritize your accessibility needs

  For us, we needed a place with accessible parking for our van; readily available and accessible public transportation and paratransit; and nearby quality medical care. We also wanted a neighborhood where we could wheel around independently and easily reach cultural activities.

• Once you determine a location, find a structure that meets your needs.

  For example, we have a large, motorized bed and I needed room to use my lift. This ruled out apartment buildings with smaller bedrooms. And don’t trust online layouts. If you have the ability, visit the place that you are interested in and make sure there is sufficient maneuvering space. We used painters’ tape to mark the dimensions of our bed to ensure that we could access it on all sides and that my caregiver had room to maneuver the lift.
  
  

• Talk to property management about any modifications before you sign a lease or contract.

  Find out their procedures for making accommodations. We made a list of all the accommodations needed and met with contractors at the unit to measure and mark grab bar locations, sink design, and roll-in shower construction. A measuring tape is your best friend!

• If you are using movers, make sure you interview at least three for price and quality. 

  Again, in our case, we needed a mover with experience with a specialized bed.
  
  

• Start decluttering where you currently live.

  Get rid of things that you no longer need. This should include a thorough inventory of your medical supplies. I had supplies that had expired or I was no longer using. Some were in good condition, and I helped other individuals with disabilities by posting them on Facebook Marketplace or disability sites. For instance, one woman was thrilled with an old cushion that I was not using.

• Ask for help! 
  Even individuals without a disability lean on their friends when it is moving time. I had a task list and divided it up among caregivers and friends. Knowing people’s strengths and weaknesses helps to determine who can do tasks efficiently.
  
  
• Ensure that you have the medical supplies you need and pack enough for a week, so you don’t have to go digging through boxes.
  I also included clothing and toiletries in this transition packing for ease.
  
  

• Make sure that you change the address for all supplies and medication.

  Label your boxes with room name and contents. Have the movers stack the boxes in areas that ensure you can move around. You are not going to be able to unpack all in one day.
  
  

• Try different systems.

   I was frustrated locating a place to store my medical supplies. I tried many iterations before I was satisfied. Stay patient through

   all the inevitable disruptions.

• Expect bumps along the way.

    But with enough time and planning, moving can go smoothly, or relatively smoothly, anyway.

• In any case, my last tip is to give yourself time to rest. 
  Even the most trouble-free move is exhausting, and you won’t get settled all in one day.

Check out more free resources:

• Home Modification
• Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications in Housing Settings
  
  

About the Author: Sheri Denkensohn-Trott sustained a spinal cord injury in 1983 and is a C4 quadriplegic. She practiced law for the Federal government for 25 years and started her own business with her husband (who also has a disability) called Happy on Wheels, LLC. Their vision is to inspire others, with and without disabilities, to live happier lives through writing, speaking, mentoring, and consulting. Sheri is a Reeve Regional Champion and passionate disability rights advocate, especially for women’s health. She contributes to multiple publications, is a motivational speaker, professional storyteller, and mentors’ students and individuals of all ages. Sheri is a breast cancer survivor and Ambassador to the American Cancer Society. Sheri and her husband reside in Arlington, Virginia. You can follow them on all forms of social media and subscribe to their newsletter by accessing their website www.happyonwheels.com.