High on Hope: Inexpensive Home Modifications Lecture
On Monday we had the good fortune to begin our lecture series at the The Krempels Brain Injury Foundation located in Portsmouth, NH. It's a non-profit organization founded by David Krempel, a survivor of a severe traumatic brain injury. David describes his “two years of hell” and why he and other supporters established the foundation. Each day, the foundation works to improve the lives of those living with brain injury. Mr. Krempels’ message is one of hope and inspiration; and resonates deeply with our company mission: Design for Life.
The foundation offers two programs including Family Support and Stepping Stones which is a community based day program working in post-rehabilitation “that increases independence, community reintegration, and overall quality of life.”
Upon arrival we were swept up in the rituals of the morning meeting. Mic in hand, each attendee (including our team) welcomed the group and shared a laugh or informational antidote. Camaraderie, support and empowerment were the take–aways for the morning. Attendees were given program options for the day with our lecture; Inexpensive Home Modifications, to be included.
About a dozen or so members packed into a small conference room and we presented our most meaningful project to date; a home renovation located on the North Shore of Boston. The project was quite literally created under 'do or die' circumstances. The client, an elderly women suffering memory loss from Alzheimer's had grown dangerously depressed in the nursing home where she had just recently been admitted. Her family felt that if her house, a 1950's sea-side cottage could be renovated to accomodate her needs; that she could again thrive. Every detail of the home was carefully considered, and created so their mother, could live healthfully and independently in her own home. (The project was also featured on NECN's Dream House if you are interested in seeing more).
It was exciting and heart warming to see the group members actively participating with questions and comments. Though the presentation was only 50 minutes, we were able to glean from their questions, their own daily challenges and struggles. Upon leaving, our team had agreed that our mission to create environments that lend to living healthy and fully in a home whose singular purpose is our clients’ well-being is more important than ever.
