7. Creating an Accessible Home that Can Last a Lifetime w/ Guest Jennifer Dean

Mama Bear Podcast

In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell and her friend Jennifer Dean discuss the journey the Dean family took to create a fully accessible home for their 17 year old daughter Katherine. Katherine was born 16 weeks early and has cerebral palsy. As Katherine entered adolescence, the home they had loved for so long was no longer fitting their lives. They needed more room for Katherine’s power wheelchair, a safe and accessible bathroom, and systems that would allow them to care for Katherine when they were older. The space they designed not only provides efficient solutions, it is also a beautiful haven for Katherine to experience independence. Learn how the Dean’s deigned the space and what Jennifer feels like are some of the most important factors to consider when beginning a long-term accessibility renovation. This home is AMAZING and it will get you so excited to dream up a space that works for you and your family. You can see photos of the space on Jennifer’s Instagram at JenJenDean. **The accessibility book we refer to throughout this episode is The Accessible Home: Designing for All Ages and Abilities by Deborah Pierce.