![]() ![]() Many of the nails were the old, square kind that, once found, were straightened and reused. Most everyone in that town of 85 inhabitants, including me, used to sort through those ashes looking for nails. The nails used to fasten boards together came from a burned out house nearby. She was, as they say, “as thin as a rail.” I can’t help but wish I had a picture of not only her, but also of that primitive ramp made from weather-worn boards. I can still recall her smile as the heat soaked into what was left of her body. Of course, no one had a wheelchair, but the men had built a simple ramp to make it easier to carry her from her bed in the house to a rocking chair set out in the yard. When summer came with blessed sunshine, people would take our mother’s friend outside to soak up a bit of those warm and healing rays. Snow, along with killer winds, often arrived in September and didn’t leave the ground until April or May. The winters were long and hard in Western Nebraska. It takes some time to die of TB, so this caring went on for several years, if I recall correctly. ![]() Our mother took her friend food-liquid soups mainly-and helped her to bathe and wash her hair. So people did what people have always done, especially in hard times-they took care of one another. Such care might as well have been on the other side of the world for most of us, as few had an automobile. The nearest medical care of any kind was 30 miles away. TB was more common in those days, with little hope for a cure, especially for poor people. One of my first memories, in the early 1930s, when I was 4 or 5 years old, was of our mother taking care of a neighbor woman, Eula Hughbanks, who had tuberculosis. If this article helped in building a wheelchair ramp, keep reading our blog for more excellent articles.Volunteer work: good for the community and good for the soul Can you build it alone or would it be safer to hire a pro? You want to get it right the first time. If there is handicap parking, will the ramp be easy to reach? While a raised edge might seem safe enough, how "temporary" will this ramp be? Handrails may be a better choice. Consider the conditions this ramp will be used in. Final Wooden Wheelchair Ramp ConsiderationsĪgain, while you plan to build a temporary wheelchair ramp, safety and accessibility should come first. Make sure that there is enough space for the wheelchair to stay on the landing while opening the door, especially if it swings out toward the chair. Too large a gap at the wheels won’t make it up onto the ramp or onto the landing. There are two major transitions to plan for as well: where the ramp meets the ground and where the ramp meets the landing. A slope that is too gradual will make the ramp too long.Ĭalculating the slope will help you determine material costs. A slope that is too steep will be difficult to use. Longer ramps may need small adjustments and having modular sections will allow you to make changes if your design isn't perfect. Next, it will be helpful to build in sections depending on the length. The platform width needs to provide adequate clearance. Careful design planning is important to make your home accessible and to keep everyone who uses the ramp safe.įirst, plan for the wheelchair you need to accommodate. How to Build a Ramp for a Wheelchairīuilding a wheelchair ramp isn't the same as building a quick ramp to move equipment in and out of your shed. Have your approvals in place before you buy any materials. Local code will always win. Remember that even if you believe you are building a temporary wheelchair ramp, it may require concrete footings or to be anchored to the building depending on its size. Your home owner's association may need to approve your plans and materials too. Local code will have certain requirements depending on your ramp's design. Make sure you check for any permits or approvals you'll need before you build. While a DIY ramp can cost less than $100 per foot in length, hiring a contractor can cost more. Temporary ramps are great for short-term use when visiting family or while planning for a more permanent ramp.Ĭost can be a factor. ![]() Before Building a Temporary Wheelchair Rampīefore building a temporary wooden wheelchair ramp, it's important to consider its use. A well-constructed wooden ramp provides stability, convenience, and autonomy without the permanence of a ramp made from concrete.īy the end of this article, you will learn what you need to know about building a temporary wheelchair ramp. There is a solution: Build a temporary wheelchair ramp out of wood. While portable ramps can be bought off-the-shelf, they are not as sturdy or safe as a permanent ramp. Distressed that there are no quick and easy solutions for making your home wheelchair accessible? ![]()
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