Stiltz Customer Story

A Life-Changing Home Lift for Bonnie

Written by Stuart Barrow, Occupational Therapist & Parent

Family and Clinical Background

Bonnie is a five-year-old girl with Spina Bifida (Myelomeningocele). She is a full-time wheelchair user and lives with hydrocephalus (managed via shunt), single kidney function, and both hearing and visual challenges.

Despite her health needs, Bonnie is a bright, happy child who attends a local mainstream school, where she receives excellent support. However, her family home – a typical two-storey property – quickly became difficult to manage safely as Bonnie grew.

In the early months, Bonnie had no head control and required constant care. Moving her safely between floors was incredibly challenging, particularly with specialist equipment in tow. The stairs were curved, narrow and steep – and even extended family members, who were helping with care, found them hard to manage.

Identifying the Need

As Bonnie became more mobile in her wheelchair, the risks of manual handling and limited home access became more pressing. The family initially considered installing a stairlift, but it quickly became clear that this wouldn’t be suitable – lifting Bonnie on and off as she grew older would become even more difficult, and the staircase layout wasn’t ideal for this type of equipment.

Instead, the family began exploring through-floor homelift options. While the contributor has professional experience with Stiltz Homelifts, they approached the decision-making process objectively, reviewing a number of providers before settling on the solution that could work within the structure of the home.

The Adaptation Journey

The process of getting the homelift installed took close to three years. It involved applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant, working with architects and local authority departments, and making structural changes to the property. This included removing internal walls, installing RSJs (steel beams), and integrating the lift within the layout of the home – specifically, from the hallway downstairs to a converted upstairs bedroom.

The technical elements required collaboration between the lift company, structural engineers and building teams – but once the major works were completed, the actual lift installation was fast and efficient, taking just a few days.

The Impact

The lift has transformed life for Bonnie and her family.

• Bonnie’s grandmother can now safely care for her at home, using the lift to help with bedtime routines
• Her older brother enjoys helping – accompanying her in the lift and giving her a sense of fun and freedom
• Bonnie herself is delighted. She wheels herself in, presses the button, and decides where she wants to go. That small piece of independence means the world to her.

The physical benefits are clear, but the emotional impact has been even more powerful. The home now feels safer, more accessible and more connected. The constant stress and worry around moving Bonnie between floors has gone – replaced with confidence, ease, and more time to simply enjoy family life.

Reflections and Takeaways

This experience highlights just how vital the right home adaptations can be. While stairlifts are often assumed to be the default solution, they don’t always suit the reality of family life, especially for children with complex needs.

A homelift can offer:

• Greater long-term flexibility and ease of use
• Reduced carer strain and risk of injury
• Opportunities for children to experience independence and agency
• A calmer, more confident home environment

Professionally, this case has reinforced the importance of thinking holistically about home adaptations – not just the functional requirements, but also the emotional and relational aspects. Occupational therapists are uniquely placed to advocate for solutions that enhance both safety and quality of life.