quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
<snip>
Neva, is senza called senza nome in Forum ?

... yes.

Thank you. You good folks were of the many who helped me a while back. Now I wish I was in better shape as I wont ever forget you. Neva should be able to recover from the knee operation as many have. Let us know how the threshold obstical gets fixed please.

quote:

Originally posted by Woodman:
Is the door exposed to driving rain? Or does it lead to an enclosed porch?

This is an important question, as it's relevant to if you can lower the threshold (after removing the temp cover that's on there but doesn't need to be, as pointed out by Mikito). I would much rather lower the obstacle than add ramps, if I could. Even if you do ultimately need to add a ramp or ramps, better they be as low at the peak as possible.

I have nothing to offer other than we care deeply about you, my friend. The others will no doubt solve your problem, but you need to know you have our emotional support.

I can't add anything to what has been said, but I can help pay for the work. Say the word.

I'm in for some funds as well, if you were closer I could help install.

I wish so bad that I were closer. This would be a piece of cake to do for you. If funds are an issue, I'm in to help!

Suppose I get strips of 1/4 plywood 36"(long) by 4", 8", 12", 16", 20" and 24" wide. Begin by putting the 24" next to the threshold. On top of that the 20" ... and so forth until on the very top the 4". We have a set of stairs (1 .25 inches high) - which will be bumpy. So we take the handy dandy power drill with a sanding pad and make a smooth ramp where the wheels will be going. This takes care of one side.

Repeat as needed on the other side - here we won't need as many steps.

Then use metal sheeting to join the ramps.

If you use metal sheet to join the ramps, I'll also suggest some grip tape to prevent slipping when wet...

quote:

Originally posted by Protein anchor:
I can't add anything to what has been said, but I can help pay for the work. Say the word.

quote:

Originally posted by Riley:
I'm in for some funds as well, if you were closer I could help install.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
I wish so bad that I were closer. This would be a piece of cake to do for you. If funds are an issue, I'm in to help!

Funds aren't an issue. Just bought a Hitachi 12 In Sliding Compound Miter Saw and was thinking of cutting ramps into a 2 by 10. But while an opened door will close over a 2 by 10, it won't open over the 2 by 10. This means the board would have to be put in place any time Neva wants to go out. While workable it's hardly optimal.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
If you use metal sheet to join the ramps, I'll also suggest some grip tape to prevent slipping when wet...

Door is well covered so the exterior ramp won't get wet.

Neva,

Years ago we were in a similar situations with my grandmother. Her situation was temporary, so our ramp was more makeshift and not very pretty.

We used a piece of hardwood plywood that was cut to the width of the door and went out about 3-4 feet on each side of the door frame. Our first attempt was only a foot or so from the door and it was still too steep for her.

We couldn't put the wood right on the lip, so we took some 2x4 and drilled it into the plywood on the door sides. We also bought some thin rubbery stuff that was in sheets and had 3M adhesive on one side. Got it at Home Depot and this kept it from sliding. Not sure what it was really meant for, maybe furniture? It worked great to keep it in place and didn't leave any permanent markings.

We didn't do this, but you could stain/paint it for a nicer look. Our key to success was making the ramp longer. Even though it was only 2", we needed several feet to make it easy for my grandmother.

Hope this helps!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: hunter62,

On the interior side, a simple and sturdy ramp could be anchored in place by just a couple deck screws, bugle heads and they wont leave barely a visible hole in the hard wood floor.

Other posts are better at actually helping. I just want to chime in that I sympathize with you as I've been having knee pains going down stairs.

I wish you the best and hope you recover soon and that you overcome all the obstacles in your way.

quote:

Originally posted by senza nome:
Suppose I get strips of 1/4 plywood 36"(long) by 4", 8", 12", 16", 20" and 24" wide. Begin by putting the 24" next to the threshold. On top of that the 20" ... and so forth until on the very top the 4". We have a set of stairs (1 .25 inches high) - which will be bumpy. So we take the handy dandy power drill with a sanding pad and make a smooth ramp where the wheels will be going. This takes care of one side.

Repeat as needed on the other side - here we won't need as many steps.

Then use metal sheeting to join the ramps.

I think you're on a roll with a good idea. I second the grip tape...cheap and easy...and should actually help make it easier to roll across.

I did find these threshold ramps in a google search made specifically for this purpose.

Link (1800wheelchair.com)

This one would work on the outside, it can be screwed into place semi-permanently.

Perhaps one of the rubber one for the inside.

I found this one on Amazon.:


I hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by Neva:

quote:

Originally posted by Crom:
Is your husband handy with tools, and thermodynamics ?

Really? Some old lady, a forum member, comes to the forum for help with a really pretty god-awful life situation and this is it?

Dude.....

I have been suffering from the same problem

I found the picture funny

I need one of those things

you could have the bottom threshold cut completely out and have a door sweep seal the door off, the other option wood ramp cut , I would call a small cabinet shop in your area and see if they can make you a board. maybe a thicker rubber matt the you could lay over the whole threshold area ??

I've had to use (been in a wheelchair), and build/modify these (ramps).

The one thing I noticed is, if you leave the existing threshold, you are going to need both the inside and outside ramp to come up to the level of that lip (see image below). Trying to get over the short side of that lip will be a PITA, and a hazard (you could flip your chair going over it.) You don't want a ramp with a slope greater than 10˚- 15˚ so it will be easy to get up and down (a gentle slope).

Also, you want to anchor both ramps into the flooring (screw them down) so they don't slip or move. If they slip out from underneath you, it could tip your chair over. Also, if they are anchored then they can't get moved away from the door to the point where you yourself might need to move them to get in or out (think about if the outside ramp got moved away from the door to a distance where you couldn't reach it in your wheelchair.)

For an 1.5" rise at a 10˚ angle, the ramp would have to extend 8.5" from the edge of the threshold. For a 1.75" rise, it would have to extend 10" from the threshold.

I hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
I wish so bad that I were closer. This would be a piece of cake to do for you. If funds are an issue, I'm in to help!

+1 Just want to help a friend. Looks like some good ideas and resources. Hopefully you'll be out in the fresh air and sun shortly.

Neva,

I am sorry to hear this. I perform nerve blocks nearly everyday. This is unfortunately a know complication you anesthesiologist should have gone over. Very rare. I hope he used an ultrasound.

These can be temporary as in weeks to months or sadly permanent. Probably should see neurologist for an EMG . Again I hope you fully recover. If you have any questions I can assist you with please email me.

Carlos