HOUSING STABILITY
Loan program helps Thomas build an accessible home
Thomas’s early childhood was as normal as could be. At the age of five, however, he began to have seizures and his family’s life would never be the same.
After initially spending six months in the hospital and years of clinical trials, doctors diagnosed Thomas with Lennox Gastaut syndrome (LGS), a rare form of epilepsy that is serious and difficult to treat, and it usually has severe effects.
The diagnosis was a blow to Thomas’s family. “These were very trying times,” said Thomas’s mother, Linda, a retired nurse. “I cried a lot, and things seemed like they were falling apart for my family. Amid all that was happening, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Thomas, now 39 years old, lives with his mother, but his father Chris helps with his daily care.
As Thomas grew into adulthood, his care became more challenging. The family home had one bathroom, located on the first floor, and Thomas’s bedroom was on the second floor.
“Our situation was very difficult,” said Linda. “The stairs were killing him, and me for that matter. They were very steep. It was horrible.”
Linda learned about the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) at Metro Housing and it changed her life forever. HMLP is a statewide program funded by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to help elders and people with disabilities stay in their homes by making them accessible through no-interest loans.
Linda added an extra room to her first floor, a small deck and a ramp that leads from the new room outdoors to the front of the house. Additionally, she was able to make the bathroom more accessible for Thomas.
“The changes have been amazing and have made a dramatic difference for Thomas and me. I am so grateful to Metro Housing.”
- LINDA
“I never realized how difficult things were before we had these renovations done because I just did what I had to do for Thomas.”
Thomas now uses the new room as his television room – he loves movies – while using the former TV room as his bedroom. He loves the outdoors and can now enter the deck from his new room.
“Our contractor was incredible. He knew the circumstances around Thomas’s condition and was able to complete the job quickly."
Among people with LGS, Thomas is considered high functioning. He is able to talk, and walk with assistance although he uses a wheelchair for mobility.
“I cannot say enough about Jennifer at Metro Housing. She was so accommodating and made the application process quite easy for me. The changes have been amazing and have made a dramatic difference for Thomas and me. I am so grateful to Metro Housing.”