Now we don’t need to move. We have ease, we have comfort, and our kids have peace of mind. Rather than moving out of your home and starting afresh somewhere else, invest in this. You will never regret it.
When mobility issues left a pair of globe-trotting 60-somethings struggling to get around at home, Stiltz Homelift flew to the rescue and became their ticket to a new kind of independent travel.
Eddie and Chanda are childhood sweethearts and a devoted husband-and-wife team who’ve seen their adventures take them to over 30 countries, covering five continents. Their passion for travel is etched into the very fabric of their home. Souvenirs from across the globe reflect the places they’ve visited, and this feeds into their love for flamboyant décor.
So, when reducing mobility prevented safe use of the stairs, they weren’t ready to sell up and downsize to single-floor living. Instead, this intrepid pair set off on a journey of a different kind to find a solution to enable them to live in the home they love safely.
We met Eddie and Chanda at their three-bed semi-detached home in Greenford, West London, where they’ve lived for 29 years. It’s steeped in memories and the lived-in comforts that can’t be packed into a removal van. They’ve raised three children here and now have four grandchildren, all of whom live nearby, so they are lucky to be surrounded by a wonderful support network.
Chanda takes up the story, “I struggle with fibromyalgia, small fibre neuropathy, and knee issues, while Eddie suffers from lung sarcoidosis and was also due for heart bypass surgery. We’d both had a few falls, and our children were naturally worried. We did wonder if it was time to move to a place with only one floor, maybe a retirement place with someone to look after us.”
However, there were many reasons for them to stay put. “We’re so sentimentally attached to this house; for example, my parents’ ashes have been placed in the garden under a rose bush that we planted in their memory.”
With such deeply personal associations, they needed to find a way to make the house – and garden – work for them in terms of accessibility. So, the moment they saw Stiltz Homelifts advertised on TV, they immediately wanted to know more. Could this be what they needed to get them back on a firm footing at home?
‘Plane’ Sailing “From start to finish, everyone was so helpful,” enthuses Chanda, describing how the sales team went out of their way to accommodate their needs, even agreeing to a home visit on a Sunday because Eddie had so many hospital appointments during the week. Having any work done in the home is an upheaval, but when you’re fitting it in around impending surgery, too, it becomes even more of a strain. However, the installation team didn’t disappoint either.
“They could see we weren’t able to manage clearing space for the work to be done, so they helped move wardrobes and get everything ready. They were so polite and ready to help us. Plus, they managed to keep our lovely black stair carpet absolutely spotless, which is amazing. I honestly couldn’t fault them.” This is exactly why the pair gave Stiltz a 5 star review on Google, which Chanda’s keen to note has already racked up over 10,000 views!
New Look, Fresh Start
Since the smooth installation, Chanda describes living life with a Stiltz Homelift as having been ‘transformative.’ “It’s part of our life now. It’s a lifeline for both of us.”
The couple chose a Stiltz Duo Classic, which sits neatly in their living room, taking them straight up into the bedroom “It’s such a relief for all of us,” says Chanda. “Now I’m able to let Eddie go upstairs on his own as I know he’ll be safe, sitting on the lift seat, without needing my help. It’s also given our children peace of mind, knowing the lift and its numerous safety features will be there to help.
Obviously, this level of safety, comfort or style couldn’t have been achieved with a bulky stairlift. The automatic lighting system inside the Stiltz Homelift has already proved to be a boon, as has the in-built phone, meaning they can contact people if anything should happen while they’re in transit. There’s also a drop-down chair, which is perfect for Eddie, who gets out of breath quickly. And, for the finishing touch, they had the interior match their walls.
This truly is first-class travel.
The couple have always embraced new ideas and new adventures, so, it’s unsurprising they saw all the possibilities that a Stiltz can offer. “Honestly, the homelift has been a god-send,” I’d recommend it to anyone who’s struggling,” says Chanda.
Flying High
“Now we don’t need to move. We have ease, we have comfort, and our kids have peace of mind. Rather than moving out of your home and starting afresh somewhere else, invest in this. You will never regret it.”
We wish them many more years of great travel, in and out of the home. Bon Voyage!
