Gimp on "Flip That House"

[Tiger Racing]

Anybody see the episode with the quad and his friend renovating a house in South Carolina? It's just starting here, so I'm curious as to whether he's going to make it wheelchair accessible.

C.

[BeeBee]

I saw the tail end of it last night. Didn't look "accessable" other than it was a single story and his chair was narrow enough to get thru the doors. For the front steps he had a wide sheet of plywood over them. Looked like he was SCI-quad, based on hand function. House was beautiful when he was done.

[NorthQuad]

The house looked great but was nowhere near accessible.

[cali]

yup. saw that too. he could barely go through the doors. it didn't have to be all out, but wider doors and at least a ramp would be good.

[canuck]

Well if he was going to flip it for a profit making it accessible would have cost him more & narrowed his market wouldn't it? I can see making it accessible if the house was for him but for a quick flip??

[Tiger Racing]

Well if he was going to flip it for a profit making it accessible would have cost him more & narrowed his market wouldn't it?
Accessible features are not neccessarily more expensive and will actually broaden one's market. Yes, widening doorways would add cost, but not everything does. Pull handles instead of knobs on cabinets, levers on doors, different counter heights in the kitchen... those are simple things that he could have done, but didn't.

Based on what they guy said at the very end of the show, it's possible that he specifically did not want to talk about accessibility for fear of it being the focus, but it was still disappointing that the issue was never mentioned at all. At least not that I heard.

When my husband and I move to our new house, we are going to renovate and sell the condo we've been living in. Since I've lived here since 1990, it's obviously accessible enough for a para, but I plan to incorporate more universal design features in the remodel, especially in the kitchen. When we market the property, I want the fact that it is accessible to be promoted.

C.

[TheRainman]

Accessible features are not neccessarily more expensive and will actually broaden one's market. Yes, widening doorways would add cost, but not everything does. Pull handles instead of knobs on cabinets, levers on doors, different counter heights in the kitchen... those are simple things that he could have done, but didn't.

Based on what they guy said at the very end of the show, it's possible that he specifically did not want to talk about accessibility for fear of it being the focus, but it was still disappointing that the issue was never mentioned at all. At least not that I heard.

When my husband and I move to our new house, we are going to renovate and sell the condo we've been living in. Since I've lived here since 1990, it's obviously accessible enough for a para, but I plan to incorporate more universal design features in the remodel, especially in the kitchen. When we market the property, I want the fact that it is accessible to be promoted.

C.

Tiger

He did the right thing on not bringing up his disability. His disability had nothing to do with flipping this house. If he wants to be respected by his peers he needs not to use his disability as a crutch. Now if it was a show on over coming life's challenges then bring up the disability issue.

[Tiger Racing]

He did the right thing on not bringing up his disability. His disability had nothing to do with flipping this house.
When did I say that he should have brought up his disability? I said that he should have brought up the issue of ACCESSIBILITY.

C.

[dan_nc]

I don't think it was accessible at all. I was disappointed, but not surprised.

[TheRainman]

When did I say that he should have brought up his disability? I said that he should have brought up the issue of ACCESSIBILITY.

C.

Tiger

Why would he want to bring up accessibility when he wasn't trying to build a house suited for a wheelchair. This is all about making money.

[Foolish Old]

Tiger

Why would he want to bring up accessibility when he wasn't trying to build a house suited for a wheelchair. This is all about making money.

The comments to follow are not addressed to the specific situation discussed here, I have not seen the show. But, in general...

Once one is aware of the small, inexpensive things that can be done to provide wheelchair access, it is disapointing when they are ignored. It is doubly disapoitning when these barriers are not addressed by someone who knows first-hand the impact of leaving them intact.

Access should be promoted at every opportunity - it is the only way things will change. One does not need to be a zealot, but silence is a squandered opportunity to do the right thing.

[TheRainman]

The comments to follow are not addressed to the specific situation discussed here, I have not seen the show. But, in general...

Once one is aware of the small, inexpensive things that can be done to provide wheelchair access, it is disapointing when they are ignored. It is doubly disapoitning when these barriers are not addressed by someone who knows first-hand the impact of leaving them intact.

Access should be promoted at every opportunity - it is the only way things will change. One does not need to be a zealot, but silence is a squandered opportunity to do the right thing.

Foolish

Good point! But I don't know if you ever watch this show. The whole point of this show is to fine a house and fix it up, and sell it in the quickest and most profitable time.

Show like this can really help him in getting financing for future deals.

[kenf]

a wider door might add be $20 more , depending on the door. 10 doors in the house $200. i'm sure if they asked the guy he would of chipped in the $200. when i rehab my house i put in all 36" doors out and inside. inside doors where press panel doors , like $20 dollars more than a 32" door.i have 10 inside doors , not alot and they look alot nicer. you go past 36" door than thats a new ballgame. when i did the rehab , i wasn't in a chair , i did it for looks.

[Tiger Racing]

Why would he want to bring up accessibility when he wasn't trying to build a house suited for a wheelchair. This is all about making money.
Again, there are any number of accessible design features that do not add to the cost of doing something and even those were ignored. Also, the more accessible a home is, the more potential buyers there will be. Lastly, it's just the right thing to do.

I've seen other flippers making a point of being environmentally conscious even if the up front cost is more. So why do you keep arguing against doing things that don't cost more?

C.

[vgrafen]

I saw the episode (love the show) and I think you're right, Rainman. Guy's just trying to make a buck.

There's always something implied and thus expected from plegics, that we're to 'stay in character' wherever we go and whatever we do. By that I mean, and in this instance, the guy is expected to be 'all things disabled' and have some sort of stenoscopic, singular focus: he's expected to 'represent' everybody in a chair, and is criticized when he doesn't.

I get that treatment consistently. Simply from being seen in this chair, it's assumed I:
1) hate Bush
2) support stem cells
3) am looking for a hand-out/want special treatment
4) am bitter and resentful, "Life must be so hard, you poor thing!"
Yeah, it is, but I'm not bitter or resentful.

I remember a couple three years ago, after the big Clint Eastwood incident and the righteous woman suing him; I was asked on Weaver's show then HOW MANY LAWSUITS I INITIATED OVER MY ADA RIGHTS!

I replied, "Uh, none, I think the nation's doin' a good job of making things accessible."

The interviewer was floored. "But don't you support her lawsuit?"

"Nah, hell, it's bogus, leave Clint alone or, better yet, go talk to him in private about whatever changes need to be made and I'm sure he'd agree. Who wants to get sued?"

I don't recall her exact words but it was to the effect of, "I just assumed you'd be in support of any lawsuit which could help YOU PEOPLE!"

I was gracious but the remark lingered: you people. Like we all share the same traits and beliefs. Thanks...

Let the guy make his money without having to drag out the plegic banner.

[Van Quad]

Accessible features are not neccessarily more expensive and will actually broaden one's market.

C.

A friend of mine experienced the opposite when her accessible house went on the market. The value of the house and our housing market at the time (hard to believe Vancouver had a down market!) made her target market wealthy Asians. They just don't like the stigma of a disability hanging in the air. I couldn't believe the agent but as it turned out she was right.

[TheRainman]

I saw the episode (love the show) and I think you're right, Rainman. Guy's just trying to make a buck.

There's always something implied and thus expected from plegics, that we're to 'stay in character' wherever we go and whatever we do. By that I mean, and in this instance, the guy is expected to be 'all things disabled' and have some sort of stenoscopic, singular focus: he's expected to 'represent' everybody in a chair, and is criticized when he doesn't.

I get that treatment consistently. Simply from being seen in this chair, it's assumed I:
1) hate Bush
2) support stem cells
3) am looking for a hand-out/want special treatment
4) am bitter and resentful, "Life must be so hard, you poor thing!"
Yeah, it is, but I'm not bitter or resentful.

I remember a couple three years ago, after the big Clint Eastwood incident and the righteous woman suing him; I was asked on Weaver's show then HOW MANY LAWSUITS I INITIATED OVER MY ADA RIGHTS!

I replied, "Uh, none, I think the nation's doin' a good job of making things accessible."

The interviewer was floored. "But don't you support her lawsuit?"

"Nah, hell, it's bogus, leave Clint alone or, better yet, go talk to him in private about whatever changes need to be made and I'm sure he'd agree. Who wants to get sued?"

I don't recall her exact words but it was to the effect of, "I just assumed you'd be in support of any lawsuit which could help YOU PEOPLE!"

I was gracious but the remark lingered: you people. Like we all share the same traits and beliefs. Thanks...

Let the guy make his money without having to drag out the plegic banner.

V

Thanks! You said it perfectly. I get the same treatment.

[Foolish Old]

IS the argument being made here that one should not advocate that universal design is a good idea? The connection to hating Bush and wanting handouts and being bitter is hard to follow and seems strained and irrelevant. Universal design elements need not conflict with turning a profit if common sense is employed.

[TheRainman]

Based on what they guy said at the very end of the show, it's possible that he specifically did not want to talk about accessibility for fear of it being the focus, but it was still disappointing that the issue was never mentioned at all. At least not that I heard.

Foolish

That paragraph was taken from tigers post and thats what we were referring to.

[Tiger Racing]

A friend of mine experienced the opposite when her accessible house went on the market. The value of the house and our housing market at the time (hard to believe Vancouver had a down market!) made her target market wealthy Asians. They just don't like the stigma of a disability hanging in the air.
Whoever marketed their house did it wrong. The keywords are "universal design". The idea is to make things easier for everyone. No need to even mention disability.

There's always something implied and thus expected from plegics, that we're to 'stay in character' wherever we go and whatever we do. By that I mean, and in this instance, the guy is expected to be 'all things disabled' and have some sort of stenoscopic, singular focus: he's expected to 'represent' everybody in a chair, and is criticized when he doesn't.
Oh, please. Nobody here is demanding that anyone be 'all things disabled'. Stem cells are a moral issue that has nothing to do with one's ability to function on a daily basis, but being able to move in and out and around one's environment is a fundamental issue that affects everyone, everyday. This is so basic, that I'm shocked that anyone with a disability would act like it's prejudiced or in any way a stretch to think that a quadriplegic might incorporate features that make life easier for everyone, especially when they don't cost more.

It's my experience that many people will treat the first person they meet with a disability as somehow representative of everyone with a disability. In fact, I take that responsibility seriously and do my best to make a good first impression. I don't want to be defined by my disability, but I also don't want it to be ignored to my detriment, when acknowledging it would benefit not only me, but a great many others.

Pull handles on cabinets instead of knobs... who here wants to argue against that?

C.

[BeeBee]

We are currently trying to sell our house (in Detroit) and that is the number 1 comment back, the lookers can't see past the adaptations. We have a couple of ramps that can and will be removed, and 2 stair gliders, also that will be removed. But it IS an issue. It shouldn't be, but it is. For the sake of being politically correct or for advocating for accessiblity rights we should phrase it so that it should appeal to a wider audiance. From someone who is living in a different city with no furniture and nothing to cook in while my home is on the market, we will re-write the ad to state that all accessiblity items will be removed. Sorry, Carol, but that's the real life story. Accessible doesn't sell.

[TheRainman]

We are currently trying to sell our house (in Detroit) and that is the number 1 comment back, the lookers can't see past the adaptations. We have a couple of ramps that can and will be removed, and 2 stair gliders, also that will be removed. But it IS an issue. It shouldn't be, but it is. For the sake of being politically correct or for advocating for accessiblity rights we should phrase it so that it should appeal to a wider audiance. From someone who is living in a different city with no furniture and nothing to cook in while my home is on the market, we will re-write the ad to state that all accessiblity items will be removed. Sorry, Carol, but that's the real life story. Accessible doesn't sell.

Tiger

The truth of the matter is. We are all disciminated against. The average person don't want to deal with disability anything. Its just a turn off for most people.

[wheeliecoach]

We are currently trying to sell our house (in Detroit) and that is the number 1 comment back, the lookers can't see past the adaptations. We have a couple of ramps that can and will be removed, and 2 stair gliders, also that will be removed. But it IS an issue. It shouldn't be, but it is. For the sake of being politically correct or for advocating for accessiblity rights we should phrase it so that it should appeal to a wider audiance. From someone who is living in a different city with no furniture and nothing to cook in while my home is on the market, we will re-write the ad to state that all accessiblity items will be removed. Sorry, Carol, but that's the real life story. Accessible doesn't sell.

Agreed...we are in the same situation with our house. We ended up taking out anything about accessibility/universal design from our listing, and in the agent's comments it says our ramp can be removed if the buyer would like. I wish universal design would help with the sale...but we have definitely experienced the opposite affect.

[vgrafen]

Tiger, I can't believe what a poor reader you are! We're referring to the damn TV show, honey, and what the guy was actually talking about!

Geez, I'm stunned by how quickly you want to race into the fray. Re-read what's been said, please: the stereotype we deal with is that plegics are all of the same mindset, which we are not, clearly.

"It's my experience that many people will treat the first person they meet with a disability as somehow representative of everyone with a disability."

Uh, yeah, thanks, Tiger. You rip me then you say the same thing.

Go punch the cat or something equally productive; your reading skills are really slipping.