This World Spina Bifida Day, 25th October, occupational therapist Stuart Barrow is sharing his family’s inspiring story, which highlights how accessible homes can transform the lives of children living with spina bifida.
His daughter, Bonnie, who is five years old, was born with spina bifida myelomeningocele, the most severe form of the condition. She is paralysed from the waist down, uses a wheelchair, and has encountered multiple medical challenges since birth.
For Stuart and his wife, ensuring Bonnie could move safely and confidently around their home became a mission, one that ultimately led to installing a Stiltz homelift.
Challenges Faced at Home
“When Bonnie was tiny, even the simplest tasks were hard,” Stuart recalls. “She had no head control, a healing wound on her back, and we had to carry her up and down the stairs every day. It was exhausting and frightening. We knew it couldn’t go on.”
The family looked into stairlifts but quickly realised they wouldn’t be practical or safe long term. “Bonnie would have had to transfer on and off every time, and our staircase is narrow and curved,” he explains. “We needed a better solution.”
Choosing the Right Solution
Stuart, who works as an Occupational Therapist, began researching homelifts. “Because of my professional background, I had some knowledge of homelifts and wanted to approach this objectively. I looked at various manufacturers and their products, and Stiltz was the only company that could provide a lift that could be positioned exactly where we needed it.”
After nearly three years of planning, grant applications, and construction, the lift was finally installed. The transformation was instant.
Bonnie’s Every Day Freedom was Restored
“Now, Bonnie’s grandma can take her upstairs safely. Bonnie can wheel herself into the lift, press the buttons and choose where to go. That independence means everything,” Stuart says. “She feels more connected to her home and has more control over her day. There are practical benefits, of course, but the emotional impact is harder to describe. We feel more connected as a family and can enjoy everyday moments again without stress or fear.”
The change has benefited the whole family. “My wife and I can go out knowing she’s safe. Her brother loves helping her use it. It’s made our home feel like a place of joy again.”
Changing Perspectives on Accessibility
For Stuart, the family’s experience has reinforced his commitment to raise awareness about accessibility and early home adaptations, particularly during World Spina Bifida Day. “So many families live with unnecessary stress because their homes simply don’t work for them,” he explains. “It’s not just about lifts or ramps, it’s about independence, inclusion and quality of life.”
A Message of Hope
Bonnie’s story is a reminder that the right support and equipment can transform lives. “People often think a stairlift is the only option,” Stuart adds, “but a homelift can be safer, easier, and far more empowering, particularly for children like Bonnie.”
For this family, what began as a complex building project has become a daily source of pride and freedom. “Bonnie loves showing visitors her lift,” Stuart smiles. “It’s her way of saying, ‘I can do it myself.’”
To read the full story, visit the Stiltz website.
About Stiltz
UK-based Stiltz Homelifts is an award-winning manufacturer and installer of domestic lifts designed to help people continue living in the homes they love, for as long as possible. Global distribution enables older and less mobile individuals around the world move around their home safely and independently. Contemporary design and modular assembly gives Stiltz Homelifts a unique look and functionality like no other lift currently available.
