The Force against disability for Star Wars Superfan Paul
Star Wars superfan Paul Couldrey, 54, from Brierley Hill in the West Midlands, has been enabled by a Stiltz Trio+ Homelift, allowing his Star Wars collecting, model-making, and home-based business to continue to thrive.
Paul is legally qualified and runs a consultancy specialising in GDPR and Data Protection management, mainly for GP practices. His company is well-established and successful, and Paul is now regularly invited to talk at international conferences. Outside of work, he has a very different passion: Star Wars. He is truly a superfan with a vast and unique collection in his home, which includes signed memorabilia, posters, models, costumes, props and full-size replicas from the films and spin-off series. Paul is a keen model-maker, employing his design skills and 3D printers to generate costume parts and mock weapons for friends and family who are also sci-fi and cosplay fanatics.
Living with muscular dystrophy, Paul used a stairlift to access the upstairs of his home as using the stairs was too demanding. However, after experiencing a significant injury from a fall, he needed to seek an alternative which was futureproofed to support his reduced mobility. A Stiltz Homelift was soon to become his latest treasured possession.
“I was previously using a stairlift when I fell in my upstairs office a few years ago and badly broke my leg,” begins Paul. “With my dystrophy, I was unable to move as I had a complex spiral fracture of the ankle and leg. Paramedics got me to the hospital, and I slowly started to recover. However, my leg muscles deteriorated as I had to remain in bed for several months. This meant I pretty well lost my ability to walk and had to start relying on my electric wheelchair.”
During this time, Paul’s son Ethan sadly passed away aged 24. Ethan also used a wheelchair and had a strong bond with his dad. This was a hugely difficult time for Paul, which subsequently affected his mobility, as he continues: “At this time, I wasn’t looking after myself. I wasn’t sleeping or eating well, so there was literally no physical way I could transfer out of my wheelchair onto my stairlift; I had no strength. I was living downstairs.
I saw a Stiltz Homelift featured on Grand Designs, and it occurred to me that this was the perfect access solution. I looked them up and discovered they made a model which was large enough to accommodate my powerchair.”
Paul contacted Stiltz to arrange a free home consultation during which time an Assessor evaluated whether a homelift would be suitable. A few weeks later, a full site survey was completed, and then the installation of his Trio+ began. The first stage was the pre-enablement works, which involved cutting an aperture in the ceiling to accommodate the homelift. This would connect Paul directly from his office to his sitting room. Vertical rails were then installed in readiness for the lift car to be fitted the following day.
Paul has now had his Trio+ for 18 months. It has continued to radically improve his life and that of Sam, his partner, both from a practical and mental health point of view. “I’ll never forget having the lift installed; it was such a boost for my family. It was the best birthday present for me to be able to go upstairs to work again, as I’d been stuck using my laptop downstairs on the kitchen table for nearly a year. And being able to get back in my own bed and not sleeping downstairs was incredible.”
From a therapeutic and clinical perspective, Paul’s homelift has facilitated meaningful occupation at home and provided a platform which has stabilised his well-being. During his initial grieving process, maintaining positive mental health was an understandable challenge as Paul came to terms with the loss of his son as well as his suddenly reduced mobility. This highlighted why a stairlift is sometimes not an appropriate solution, as parameters are not sufficiently flexible if needs change. By choosing a Trio+ Homelift, clients such as Paul can call on adaptable accessibility even if ambulant transfers are no longer possible.
When Paul was asked why he would recommend the Trio+ to other powered wheelchair users, he says:
“Well, firstly, there’s no transferring out of your wheelchair, which is great. I can move around the house so much quicker. I can get between floors in only 40 seconds instead of four minutes. If I want a break from work, I can get to my garage quickly and spend ten minutes spraying my models and then literally pop straight back up to my desk in no time at all.”
“The beauty of the lift is it’s not intrusive in your life or your home. It’s just there and never a subject of conversation. Saying that, my son’s friends have offered to vinyl wrap it, so it is blue like the Doctor Who Tardis. If I ever customise it, I think I’d much rather add smoke and get it to play the Star Wars Imperial March theme tune as it descends!”
As Paul moves forward with his life, he continues to be busy both in and out of work. Alongside running his business and satisfying his love of all things Star Wars, he has published several books co-authored with his late son. These passions have been underpinned by homelift ownership and how its installation removed all barriers to moving around at home. This inclusive living helps Paul maintain his motivation and self-worth so he can thrive whether at work or in the world of Star Wars.
Paul concludes by saying, “Getting my Trio+ installed has been a massive deal for me. It may not sound much, but when you have had to live your life downstairs … it is. Having a homelift has freed up our house again. What little space you give up; you get a lot of freedom in return.
And the lights are very Star Wars, I love it.”
“I’ll never forget having the lift installed; it was such a boost for my family. It was the best birthday present for me to be able to go upstairs to work again…”
Paul Couldrey
