One Couple’s Journey to Accessible Living

David Strawn Art Gallery (left), Loren (right)
Photos provided by Personal Mobility

At Savaria, we like to hear about our end users and how our products are making a difference in their day-to-day lives. But when we heard about Loren and Joy from Illinois, we couldn’t resist turning their story into a full blown article. This couple purchased not 1, not 2, but 3 Savaria mobility products.

Loren and Joy lived in a farmhouse in Jacksonville, Loren’s childhood home since the age of 6. Loren was an amputee and used a wheelchair. Sadly, he passed away recently at age 69. He lived in the farmhouse until he died.

Throughout his life, Loren owned lowered floor minivans, adapted full-size vans, and curved stairlifts. In 2005, the couple met with Savaria dealer, Personal Mobility, to purchase a residential lift. The first purchase was complete. A V-1504 Vertical Platform Lift was installed in their farm house. Chosen because of its durability and ease-of-use, the lift was a perfect fit for this couple. Loren was a woodworker, farmer, and overall a handy man, so he fashioned himself a rope handle for the platform gate that made it even easier still for him to enter the lift.

Loren and Joy’s farmhouse was originally part of the Jacob Strawn home place. This property was one of two built by the same couple. The other was donated to the Art Association of Jacksonville in 1915 and was converted to become the David Strawn Art Gallery. With ties to the gallery, Loren spearheaded the purchase of the second V-1504 for the building. The lift was customized with a bronze plexi glass enclosure and provides access to the main floor, elevated 9 feet off the ground.

The third product was purchased by Joy after Loren’s passing. Joy moved to a new home and though she is able-bodied, she recognizes the convenience of a home elevator and is planning for the future with her decision to install a Telecab.

All of these installations were performed by Savaria dealer, Personal Mobility. Owners Gerry and LuAnn Davis got their start in the industry when their daughter endured brain damage from an asthma attack that turned into cardiac arrest. When researching alternatives for an accessible van, the couple decided to open a mobility company to provide access for families such as themselves. Eleven years later, this family run business, in partnership with United Access, is considered to be one of the top mobility centers in Illinois.

We loved hearing Loren and Joy’s story and felt lucky to be a part of it. This wonderful couple faced physical barriers at times but they were quick to find solutions and adapt. They helped a beautiful art gallery become accessible and many will appreciate that in future years.

Savaria at the World Expo in China

Savaria booth at WEE Expo 2012 in Guangzhou, China

Last weekend marked the 10th biannual World Elevator & Escalator Expo, which began back in 1996. Sponsored by China Elevator Association, the event took place at China Import & Export Fair Exhibition Hall in Guangzhou.

The World Elevator & Escalator Expo 2012 is officially the largest elevator exhibition in the world and boasted more than 50,000sqm in exhibition space. 600 exhibitors were in attendance, hailing from 22 countries, including Germany, Korea, Japan, India, Turkey, Italy, and Finland. Exhibitors ranged from elevator manufacturers to dealers to metal manufacturers to electric companies and parts distributors.

Savaria exhibited our line of personal mobility products, featuring our NEW gearless Eclipse elevator and our platform lifts, stairlifts and stair climber. Staff from our office in Huizhou had a wonderful time interacting with customers, dealers, and other industry professionals. Thanks to WEE Expo Ghangzhou ’12 for hosting this incredibly successful event.

Check out some pictures here of our Savaria booth.

Rising to the Top in Style

Photo courtesy of Total Access Co.

A great home elevator must start with well-designed inner workings to provide reliability, safety and quality performance. Like a fine automobile though, most people are also interested in the aesthetics.  After all, an elevator will be an integral part of your daily life. Savaria dealers really get that idea and are always up for the challenge of meeting their client’s ideas for customization.

Home owners with a love for interior design or those with the desire to show off their personal style may want to aid in the idea and design process. Builders may opt for a customized elevator as a unique selling feature to increase the property value of a new development.

Clint Cox, sales consultant with Savaria dealer, Total Access Co., recently worked with local builders to install two custom glass elevators. Glass can add both beauty and functionality to a home elevator.

The first project was a deluxe 2-story penthouse in Philadelphia (pictured above). Commissioned by Total Access, this elevator achieved feats of accessibility and style. The stainless steel hoistway – the space through which the elevator travels – was welded on site by the builder, positioning the elevator in the center of the suite. Enveloped by a spiral staircase, this elevator has a freestanding appearance and adds elegance and intrigue to this modern space. Frameless glass panels were added, along with a customized stainless steel keypad phone. With its sleek appearance, this developer added value to this Philly penthouse.

Next up was a beachfront property. The owners were in need of an elevator but did not want to lose their waterfront view – understandably so! Once the simple glass concept was dreamt up by Total Access and the homeowners, Savaria built the glass cab elevator. Builders then constructed a hoistway using safety glass and customized hidden wiring was installed by Total Access. Most importantly, the owners retained their beautiful view of the beach.

The complement of your ideas with a Savaria elevator makes your home uniquely convenient and luxurious.  And that’s a combination that always rises to the top.