I can move around the house now. It takes me just 40 seconds instead of 4 minutes to go between floors. If I want a break from work, I can nip to the garage, spend some time on my models and be back at my desk in no time.
Paul Couldrey, 54, is a man of many talents. Based in Brierley Hill, in the West Midlands, he’s fiercely smart and legally qualified. He’s created a consultancy specialising in the complex world of GDPR and data protection management, working predominantly with GP surgeries. His expertise means he’s much sought after and is invited to speak at conferences around the world.
However, like many great movie characters, there’s more to Paul than his day job because once the working day is over, he becomes Paul – the Star Wars Superfan.
Downstairs is home to a unique collection of all things Star Wars. There’s signed memorabilia, merchandise, posters, costumes and props. He also shares his life with full-size replicas made by the actual designers from the film franchise. But there’s more because Paul has hidden talents. Armed with 3D printers, he’s a master of creating models, costume parts and even mock weapons for equally enthusiastic sci-fi-buff family and friends.
“I have a resin printer in the office, which I use for making models, and in the garage I keep a filament printer for making things like guns, helmets and armour. I’m always creating something like that.”
So, how did Paul come to need the help of a Stiltz Homelift?
Born with muscular dystrophy, he was managing to walk and had been using a stairlift to access upstairs. Over time, his mobility did decline, but it was a particularly nasty fall that changed everything. Paul recounts the event, “I was upstairs in the office and got off my chair too quickly. I fell and I ended up with my ankle behind my shoulder.” Unsurprisingly, this resulted in a complex spiral fracture leading to hospital admission and several months of bed rest. “Being in bed for so long and with dystrophy, my muscles deteriorated, and I lost the ability to walk. Luckily, I already had an electric wheelchair, but there was no way I could transfer myself to the stairlift, so I was stuck downstairs.”
Sadly, it was during this time that Paul’s son, Ethan, passed away aged just 24. He was also a wheelchair user, and the two shared an incredibly strong bond and a love for Star Wars. Understandably, Paul struggled to cope with the loss of Ethan. “I wasn’t looking after myself. I wasn’t sleeping or eating, and I had no strength to transfer myself from my wheelchair to the stairlift, so I was stuck downstairs.”
Then, by chance, Paul saw a Stiltz Homelift featured on an episode of Grand Designs. “I saw a small lift and liked it; not heavy and clunky. I Googled it and realised there was one large and powerful enough to accommodate my chair.”
Paul got in touch to arrange a free home consultation. “It was all really simple,” he says, “A guy from Stiltz came to do an assessment. He was great, not at all pushy, not one of those people you need to kick out after hours of trying to sell you something! He measured up, gave me the price and went through what the fitting would involve.” A full site survey followed, and a few weeks later, the installation of his Trio+ began.
The first stage was the pre-enablement works, which meant cutting an aperture into the ceiling for the lift to take Paul from his living room to the office. The Stiltz build team handled it all. Paul recounts how it all went, “Nothing was too much trouble for them. The guys were great local lads; they even took photos of upstairs so that I could see progress. When they finished, two other guys came the next day to fit the lift. When they arrived, I said there was no way they’d fit it in a day – but they did. I was amazed. That was 18 months ago, and it’s been fabulous.”
Having the Stiltz Trio+ has transformed life for Paul and his partner Sam, both physically and mentally. “It was such a boost for my family,” says Paul. “Being able to work in my office again was the best birthday present. And sleeping in my own bed felt incredible.”
Life has opened back up for Paul. “I can move around the house now. It takes me just 40 seconds instead of 4 minutes to go between floors. If I want a break from work, I can nip to the garage, spend some time on my models and be back at my desk in no time. It’s now part of our world, but you don’t see it. When people come over, they don’t notice it as I tend to park it upstairs. Having said that, my son’s friends have offered to vinyl wrap it so it’s blue like Dr Who’s Tardis!” He adds jokingly, “If I ever customise it, then I’m adding smoke and getting it to play the Star Wars Imperial march tune as it descends!”
As our visit to Paul’s world draws to a close, it’s clear that he has a new vigour for life and tells us about the wonderful way he’s chosen to create a lasting legacy for his son, which he hopes will help others. Ethan’s middle name was ‘Obi-Wan’ after the Jedi character Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Paul would always call him by this name. So, whenever his son had challenges, he’d say, ‘It’s Obi and Dad against the world,’ and it inspired Ethan to start writing stories. Paul has now made these available to purchase online.
This, in turn, inspired Paul to turn to penning books for children. He writes about being different, saying, “Everyone can feel like an impostor at times, I know I do. We worry the way we look doesn’t conform, and I wanted to talk about not being embarrassed because we all feel this way at times – even adults. It’s just life lessons and what I taught Ethan as a Dad.”
As well as writing about overcoming issues and adversity, Paul is living proof it’s possible to achieve it, and Stiltz Homelifts have hopefully shone a ray of light (sabre) into his home. “Getting my Trio+ installed has been a massive deal for me. It’s freed up our house, and what little space you give up, you get back of lot of freedom in return. And the lights are very Star Wars. I love it!”
