To be honest, this is probably the first authentic house tour I've seen. Most house tours on youtube are these huge sterile modern mansions that a) most of the viewers could never afford and b) don't look like anyone actually lives in it. A little mess and imperfections seem far more inviting and your house just looks super cozy! Also I love the wall color in the kitchen
autheniticity is what youtube needs. Not perfect audio, video; or environments not true to human experience. your puppies & noises and what you seem to think is "imperfection" is actually making your content real, relatable and authentic, Jo... I want to watch other human beings living their lives. :)
The lack of authenticity is the reason why I don't watch any "lifestyle" youtubers. Jo is a totally different story, she's a person who average people (like me) can relate to. It makes her videos interesting for me.
Yeah, not much editing done, you didn't edit out you feeding your dogs, you didn't say "Sorry my house is a mess" you were just proud to be you, I think being in a big house is a big uptake for anyone but for an amputee it'd be harder because you'd have more walking to do.
oh man, as a physical therapist this is SO AWESOME to see! i love how you've adapted your house to meet your needs (even though i am like, so stressed to hear that you're hopping but like i get it). adaptive equipment is one of my favorite things to recommend for my patients, so seeing how you make it operate is so great! the only recommendation i can offer is for a shower bench - they sit half in the shower and half out, going over the lip of the tub and allowing you to scoot from one end to the other safely. i'm sure you've heard of it and decided it wasn't necessary (which i mean, it isn't, cause you have everything set up for you already), but just thought i'd throw a half a cent in. i just discovered your channel today and i can't wait to make my way through your videos. you're so strong and seem like such a genuine and kind person. rock on!
As another PT I second the recommendation for a shower bench. I you can swing it when you get your rancher, consider getting a walk-in tub. I think soaking will help your muscle aches.
Hi Jo! Sophie appears to be at least part German Shepard. They’re known to have shoulder issues as they age. It’s likely more comfortable for Sophie to lay down to eat, so she doesn’t need to bend her neck as much. Keep an eye on it, and mention it to your Vet! Nothing to be concerned about, but joint maintenance is never a bad thing. ❤️
I'd suggest a good quality "gaming" chair for your office/art centre. They are designed to be comfy sitting extended periods of time. Many have a built in heating/massage settings and with 150k followers you could probably get sponsored by a company for their free advertising in future videos.
Good quality office chairs can be expensive, but are well worth it. Herman Miller Aeron chairs are highly regarded. However, at my weight and size, they're not the best. I prefer to buy chairs made for people in the big & tall category from a company called AliMed. They have a website, and they are all about devices to help people with various challenges. Not cheap, but definitely high quality. I'd rather pay $1k for an office chair from AliMed than $1k for an Aeron.
Dogs in the wild actually eat laying down so that they can use their paws to aid them. And sometimes bigger dogs like to lay down because it’s uncomfortable to reach down that far. ☺️
I'm a designer and I did my senior thesis on a house that is marketed to millennials and first time home buyers, but was also fit for a variety of disabilities. It is important to me, not only for aging in place, but for people like you, with physical disabilities, and also people who may suddenly have an accident or illness that could leave them blind/deaf/ physically disabled or just weak in general.
My wife and I designed and then built an "accessible" house, that can be modified as we age. We have been blessed by the wider doors and corridors, and the walk-in shower, wrap-around kitchen, etc.
I have no physical disabilities but my dad was a paraplegic my entire life so our home was always modified. And to this day still love shower chairs, ramps over stairs, and nothing on our upper shelves (I am 5’3”). It’s hard to not exclude multilevel homes while shopping on my own now lol.
Nice color scheme in the house. As someone with light sensitivity and sensitivity to bright colors, I really like the neutral and cooler color patterns you have in most of your rooms.
We're a double disability house. I've got fibromyalgia and my husband is an AK amputee on crutches full time. We have a tiny cooking and prep area in our kitchen and adding a stool has been a huge and simple help. The shower chair was added for me but quickly used by both of us (we started simple with a bucket).
I love how this video was "Let me show you my house!" and it was IMMEDIATELY "BY THE WAY HERE ARE THE CUTE DOGS THAT OCCUPY MY HOUSE!" Which is really all I ever wanted :P I've been starved of puppy interaction so I take what I can get. (Let's face it, I love all the youtubers I follow, but animals are the best costars and they always steal the show, let's be real)
I can't comment on why Sophie eats lying down, but all my wife's guide dogs have had their own quirks like that. Her second guide would pick up a mouthful of kibble, set it on the floor next to her bowl, and then eat it one piece at a time. Then she'd repeat the process with each mouthful of kibble until she finished. Go figure. We also keep the floor clear of tripping hazards because she's blind. And for years we just lived with dog fur, but now we love our Roombas (one for each floor, because we learned that we won't carry it up and down stairs if we have only one).
As an amputee myself I know the problems you face. What I have found for traveling is I bought a cane that folds out into a stool and it works great in a tub/shower in motels. Since it folds it is easy to store when traveling. I do have a little trouble with the since it is kind of short and I am 6'-3" tall but it does work.
hi sir... i am mike {amputee me too.} something about traveling... for me is problem and mostly about hotel rooms... i have a question.. how about having bath in a hotel room,when fo example buthtube does n't exist ??
I did most of those modifications to my parents house. But now I use a wooden shower chair I got from amazon. I like the wood, makes it feel less medical.
Your home tour was perfect! Because it was a HOME tour not a house tour of that makes sense. It’s wonderful seeing the sincerity and authenticity you portray in your videos and that’s what keeps me coming back💕
It may sound silly, but "as you go" baskets at the tops & bottoms of stair cases help...stuff to take upstairs the next time you go, things (baskets or tote bags you can sling over your shoulder so you have a free hand) to bring back down. As Mom got older their stairs were too steeply pitched for her to use many times a day, so this helped her out. Anyone who saw an "as you go upstairs" basket would take it up for her so she could hold on to the bannisters.
Thanks for showing us your house! And yes, a knee scooter does help. My mom is a below the knee amputee and she uses one. So when you get to have a one level house, it will help. My mom's doctor doesn't want her to use it all the time though, so she uses a wheelchair as a backup.
I am a bi-lateral below knee amputee. I have 2 prosthetic legs. The only modifications I made to my home, when I lost my legs, was the addition of a shower seat and a hose for the shower head. I sit on the seat, remove my legs, take a shower, dry off, reinstall my legs and walk off.
I really relate to not wanting a shower chair and then finding it super useful. I struggle to stand on one of my feet so hobble and limp around when I can, but I never realised how much energy I wasted by standing in the shower instead of sitting. I had to get a shower chair recently and it made me realise how stubborn I'd been for no particular reason! I'd been forcing myself to stand in the shower for 4 years, even though I sat down for basically everything else. I don't know why I had such a "thing" against getting a shower chair, because now I think everyone should get one as they're great! 😅
Jo I am a rbka since 1/16/2020 so a newbie, but several mods made a big difference for me. I added something called a Toilevator (see Amazon) which consists of a double flanged pipe and a decorative box. It installs under a toilet and raises it up 3.5 inches. Not having to get down so far makes it safer and easier when you are tired and need to get back up. I used a set of self standing safety bars that surround the toilet and added a bidet seat. Never having to stand and balance on one leg when cleaning up one's self is much safer. Plus a bidet seat helped in a pandemic when tp is hard to get lol. I installed a transfer bench with a sliding swivel seat in my tub/shower. That is how you get past the safety concern with a tub. Consider adding a safety bar at the side of your bed. It helped me turn over at night, safely get up and down, and I even use it when I am dressing. You have solved many of these issues for yourself, but thought I would share them with others thinking about their needs after seeing your video. Two last things I depend on. One is a set of threshold ramp style door mats to make entering my home easier with a wheelchair and a Fold and Go wheelchair for going out to church, shopping and and the dog park. We have a cute 1 1/2 year old little Havachon that requires lots of exercise. Thanks for your great video content.
Jo, a grab bar isn’t just good, it is a necessity and not that expensive. Another suggestion while a lot more money, might make your life even easier than the modifications you have already done would be to add a stair lift. The good ones if not all fold up when you are not using them. They can be made to accommodate all the curves you have in your house and you can use it whether or not you have your prosthetic leg on. Love ya.
You know, as a European I can only think of one time I've ever been in a multi-bathroom house, and that was a friend who was live-in-nanny rich. In apartments and single story houses it's usually just a bathroom; in multi-story houses it's bathroom on the second floor, additional toilet on the first floor.
You are amazing !!! I have made tons of changes to my living space but the biggest was going from 2400 sq ft to 380 sq ft. Storage is challenging but I have to be honest with my mobility challenges I am so grateful to be where I am with an elevator. The tub is gonna be a challenge especially having to go with an above knee amputation. So, I will face that in time but I have so many helping devices set up already. My occupational therapist has come to create-and fit my wheelchair and walker and my braces for both legs and my canes ( I will be keeping one but giving the rest to the Red Cross ). The company that has designed my specialty leg braces will create my prosthetic should that be my path. They are incredible humans ! Simply incredible! So grateful to watch your story. Sadly both my dogs have passed and I cannot have any in my apartment but now ~ plants !!! Lol Have a wonderful day~whatever day you find this!
I love the fact that your house looks lived in... :) That's what makes a house a home. I have fur babies as well and do I get fur tumbleweeds? yup! Hey, it happens... lol One thing I noticed in "your" bathroom.. I wonder if a raised toilet seat would be helpful where you don't have the rails. much love!!
Love sitting in the shower....don’t know why. When you get excited about the sponsor because you 100% believe the creator uses the product. 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽❤️💪🏽.
Thank you for being so authentic. your energy comes through and it’s such a pleasure to watch you and how positive you are and to get a picture into your life! ❤️ absolutely love all the pets too.
i love how even through all the bad times she’s so positive and just grateful for the good things in life ❤️ she’s so strong like someone give her a grammy
You just gave me some fantastic ideas to help with having a disability. I love your house. It's beautiful!! We honestly lucked out buying our ranch house before all of this leg stuff started for me. I did have to get used to getting over the shower lip or whatever you call it and I have 2 meat legs, but it was really difficult especially when I had the cement spacer in my leg and couldn't put any weight on that leg. Yes water is very slippery in the shower!!
Thank you, Jo! I have a below the knee amputation too. It takes a lot of energy and extra effort to get around. I totally connect with you. God bless you and keep those videos coming!⚘
A simple bedskirt will hide the underside of your bed. It fits the boxspring, so it takes generally 2 people to get it on properly. You can pick up a decent one at Walmart in a color of your choice that will match any sheets you have. I also have a great "office" chair link I'll dm you. I bought one of these chairs for my son for his bday this month, and he loves it! He has neck and back issues, so I was looking for something affordable, but comfy. Found it!
When I am traveling I request handicap accessible room and they have a shower chair or a bench in the shower. Tri level, wow that sounds difficult to me but I am a 69 year old / 3 year amputee. I am not as agile as you, I wear my prosthetic leg from the time I get up til I go to bed. Best of luck to you.
My dad is 59 years old and 3 years out from amputation. He is lbk amputee but has other injuries to his right leg so he uses a wheelchair most of the time. We have learned to request an accessible hotel room or at least make sure he can get his wheelchair in the bathroom and by the bed.
I love! seeing your home, because it's a real home! Like you say, not a picture perfect, non reachable for most people, home. And also, I've always loved the half floor layout type 😍
I am living for all of your dogs just being dogs in your videos. I have some ankle/foot problems and watching your videos (like this one!) helps give me some ways to move around/live safely. Also that compression sock seems helpful for swelling on any part of the body and im very tempted to get a similar one for myself
At 6:43, the handles on the toilet are fine. What my late wife needed was a more substantial grab bar bolted to the wall studs on the left and the vanity counter on the right. At 14:28, I have a shower stool that can be dissambled and packed inside a suitcase, very nice to have. I would suggest very strongly you add some grab bars around the shower area. You may not need them, but I have found that it just makes life easier and less stressful.
When I had knee surgery, thankfully my parents helped me purchase one of those motorized chairs that go up and down the stairs! I’m not sure if that would be a possibility or if your stairs have enough room to do that but that could be something to look into. It might help on days that you are especially sore and don’t want to have to bother with stairs!
i suffer from PPMS and i'm 100% with you on so many things the whole making clear space to walk without feeling at risk of falling or having a mini fridge handy there are so many different "hacks" that i would never have thought of pre diagnosis so anything that makes life a little easier makes a huge QoL difference
I have both legs and only two dogs and my house isn't clean all the time by all means. When they star to shed (which the they apparently decided they would never do at the same time!) I can vacuum the whole house and 30min later turfs of hair will be rolling like it's the wild wild west. Or they come from their walk and bring all the dirt from outside into the freshly clean kitchen. I decided I want to be happy, not frustrated. My clothes have hair on them all the time (I began to only buy clothes that don't pick up hair and that don't need ironing - that's another secret to being happy: not ironing a single piece of clothes). Imo, you're on the right wave length of thinking into having a happy life. Thank you for being so inspirational to so many people. :)
Ohhhh we have the same desk!!!! My husband got me a Secret Lab chair for Christmas, which was definitely a chunk of money but my back and hip area is thanking him. I have scar tissue around my C4-C5 vertebrae which is pushing on my spinal cord and with the scar tissue pushing on my vertebra and Spinal cord it's also messing with my sciatic nerve, (It's a long story of that accident and what it's doing to my back) so this chair has been helping me so much and I can lay it down pretty flat and then I can just hear my back pop and crack in place lol. While very pricey it was definitely worth it to not be in so much pain anymore. Might be something to look at :)
I wish I had found you earlier: you adress so many practical questions 👍👍👍. Would you also talk about your routine with cleaning liners (do you have two sets?) taking care of the prostethis, etc...? Thank you for your work!!!!
I love how you provide more privacy for your cat by setting aside a room for him/her. Brilliant idea, I see that you wholeheartedly care about your pets and know their needs. I wish more pet owners were so aware.
You have a whole room for Cakes the cat? So much potential....maybe multipurpose? Also maybe add a reading nook to dining area (maybe a big arm chairs and table)? Love the modified house tour 👍🏻!
A lot of times a dog will lay down when they eat as the bowl on the ground puts a strain on their neck. Would recommend levitating the bowl to more neutral level.
I’ve had four knee surgeries and spent extended periods of time on crutches. I am proud to say I only fell off the toilet once! It was a few hours after my third surgery, I wasn’t on hard drugs or anything, but I totally lost balance and found myself on the rug instead of the porcelain. 😂 Those handles would definitely have been nice.
Wow! your house is amazing! and I love how accessible and safe your bathroom is especially when it comes to the toilet seat! even though my limbs are fully intact (I'm not an amputee by any means) I still need support when it comes to sitting down or getting up from the toilet seat
Your house is nicely setup. I understand about the not hopping. My left knee blew out because it couldn't take compensating for my bad right ankle. I have a left knee replacement which makes that leg shorter than my right w/the bad ankle. Ouch!!! If there was a portable shower chair you could take on trips. The shower chair is a must. That would be great! I understand about the energy, fatigue & pain. Thank you for expressing it. I usually try to keep going but then the pain doesn't come down as quickly as when I take breaks. Then, I feel guilty about the breaks. What can work for me at times is to think about what 1 task I'd like to tackle when I get up. When I finish it (or do as much as I can bear) I take a break. There are times when I can get several things checked off & feel more satisfied when I look back at what I was able to do that day. God Bless You! This is very brave to share like this. I'm thankful you have and are because it's informative and inspiring.
A robot vacuum has been great for me for picking up dog hair daily. Harder with multiple levels but it could be moved to different levels on some schedule. Your critters are so lovely and sweet!
As I watched this I had a few ideas. They went from Fireman’s pole to spring powered chairs to help you get around. But, no just bad ideas. lol I do love how you have room for your animals. Animals add so much to our life that it’s worth the hair and stray tennis balls. Do you have a robot vacuum? I hear they help
sine you enjoy tea/coffe, one of those little mug warmers on top on the mini fridge would probably be something you would really enjoy. I would often have to get up to heat up my tea because I got busy and forgot about it. Having a chronic pain issue makes that harder than it sounds, so having a mug warmer is huge for me.
Hey Jo. Thank you for yet another amazing video. You are such an inspiration. I'd love to share my disability story with you sometime... Many thanks Jono
I love the shower. I have two working legs, but sitting in the shower is such a blessing. No judgment. Each person should be able to be as comfortable as possible
Your pets are so cute! I’m getting ready to move away from Colorado. Just cannot afford to get a decent house here. Your house is cute! But I’m 52 and my next house has to allow for one floor living because old age is fast approaching and I have to plan ahead.
My dog also lays down to eat. Also, unlike many house tours you see, your house looks comfy, cozy, and a place I would actually want to live... If it didnt have all the stairs.
Love you and your attitude on camera. You are so up and accepting. You adjust well. You remind me of me when I was in my early teens. My knee would dislocate and swell. I went on because no one was going to help me. So I did what I needed to do. Live life. After an operation the knee worked well for years. I married and had 5 daughters. Got a divorce and went to university. There things happened and I was forced to get a knee replacement. It is not normal at all. Now 72 and not liking it although it works ok but can be painful too. Can not get up when I fall. Have to butt walk to open the door so let the paramedics in. Going to reset that up. Three weeks ago I fell in my apartment and broke my tailbone. Ouch! Now I wait for it to heal. I have a seat in my shower too but not into it. Painfree is when I am sleeping right now. Things will get better! Your home is so cute. Thank you for the tour. Steps can be hard. All on one level can help. All in good time for you. You are young and so willing to live the best you can and you do. Blessings to you. PORT PERRY ONTARIO CANADA
Your dining room doesn’t look crowded. You have a nice home and it looks amazing. I have a horrible back from a injury and the one thing I didn’t think about was stairs and the going up and down a lot causes a lot of pain. I only go upstairs to clean and go to bed. Your so right about a big house! my house is almost 3000sq ft and keeping it clean with a disability is hard. We have already said that when we retire in a few yrs we want a ranch house.
Thank you for all your information. Had the opportunity to get a prosti and kept my leg. However I had lots of pain and infection and lots of medication but I overcame. Iam glad I kept my leg and sometimes one can't listen to doctors. I thank you for all your info. Keep up the great job!!!!!!
I know this is an old post, but I’m catching up. I was a vet tech for nearly a decade, and it could be that leaning down for Sadie is comfortable to her elbows. You could try placing it on a box or something raised a bit (but always keep the bowl low enough that her head has to reach below her stomach level to avoid bloat, which can be fatal). Or she could just enjoy relaxing to eat her food. 😂
For your office chair, I recommend a gaming chair of some sort, they are good for longer periods so it should be more comfortable, some even have heating and massage stuff in them
🌿🔆🌷Iovely that you surround yourself in positivity & furbabies ... every day I see homeless people stuggling to get on the bus ...& the train .... without...feet ... or legs ...alone & I wait to sob ... where They cannot see my sorrow. Keep shinning & beinging a wonderful human . Godspeed~B
You mentioned the scooters, I think that’s a great addition. I wonder if you could find those things on FB marketplace or Goodwill cheap-ish. Get one for each level. Maybe get one first and see how it works and where you use it most. Then get as many as you need when you can find them used. BTW I’ve always admired your triangle wall when I’ve seen it in the background! Be SAFE and be WELL. 😷🖖
I love the mezzanine levels in your house! Also - most people’s houses don’t look ‘white and bright and clean’ they’re slightly dirty and very loved and that’s what matters
Firs of all, puppies! I love home tours and your dogs made it even better. You're right about that area by the dinning table, it does look crowded. I think the fact that the shelving has that curve to it is what adds to the crowded look. Can that be shifted a bit along that wall but away from the dinning table? 🤔 Everything is towards each wall, which makes sense because of the types of furniture items they are but that makes the space in the middle be more obvious too. But that space might be good for you to keep. Ok, I've been on Pinterest too long today 😂
I like all the beautiful colors on your walls because I hate when houses just have plain white walls. Life needs some color. Your home is nice, authentic and would be a dream home for a lot of people.
OMG our dog lays down to eat too! mine does that all the time and it's hilarious, we always say that she's too lazy to even stand to eat and would much rather spend the whole day sleeping 😂😂
Thank you for sharing. I have learnt many things from this video. My husband had his amputation ( right leg) 2 months ago. He is recovering now and I always wonder how to prepare the house for him when he starts walking. Will try to make the whole house safe for him. God bless.
oh - potential "oops" - I had forgotten about the end-bit of that video where she talks about getting your husband to help you with housework (once a radical concept). Just pre-emptively, avoiding a faux pas, I want to say that i have nothing bad to say about your Husband. He seems like an excellent human being who for-sure helps with housework and everything! I apologize for being such a spaz and making a whole new comment about it, but better safe than sorry, right? Thank you again for your fabulous and honest house tour! :D
