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.

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.

Dalton McGuinty Visits Savaria

Linda Jeffrey MPP, Dalton McGuinty Ontario Premier and Savaria Staff

We were honoured to welcome the Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty to Savaria in Brampton on November 16th.   With the background hub-bub of our manufacturing plant, the Premier talked about the new healthy home renovation tax credit program.  We were also pleased to welcome Linda Jeffrey, MPP Brampton Springdale who accompanied the Premier on the tour.

Offering up to $1500 on the first $10,000 of home renovations for seniors living in Ontario, the program promises to help seniors stay in their homes longer, avoiding moving to healthcare facilities sooner than needed.  Since many aging adults suffer from mobility issues such as knee and hip problems, adding a stairlift or a platform lift can be the best way to remain at home – the place most people want to be.  Mr McGuinty toured the Savaria showroom and shook hands with many of our employees as he went.  It was a great opportunity for Savaria staff to feel proud about the kind of products we make.

Design for a lifetime

Design for a lifetime is a concept that revolves around creating an environment that addresses your needs today while fulfilling them in the future. Installing a home elevator is a perfect way to exemplify this concept. A Savaria home elevator  provides you with an easy alternative to carrying groceries, baskets of laundry and even your child’s stroller over a hefty flight of stairs. The elevator will be useful for helping your parents and perhaps you in the years to come. An elevator can provide  you with a lifetime of use as generations pass, allowing you to stay in your home longer.

Savaria elevators also offer a wide variety of finishes from finely crafted hardwood to a variety of fixtures to suit your needs and tastes. Your local contactor and Savaria dealer can enhance your installation including amenities such as a glass hoistway and glass window in your elevator, so you can enjoy the view as well as some natural light. By eliminating the barrier of stairs, and suiting your décor needs, an elevator will enable you to enjoy your home longer while increasing the value of your home in the process. Offering safety, convenience and comfort, Savaria’s line of products can be found here as well as in this short video.