New Bath Combines Style and Accessibility

BY KAY REYNOLDS

THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

WHEN DONA AND JERRY Didio began exploring the means of constructing a new bathroom, they soon found themselves on their own. Contractors' estimates were not only high, most didn't have the expertise to do the work to the family's very specific requirements.

The solution? Do it yourself, of course.

"Our son Kyle is now 20 years old. He was born with cerebral palsy," Dona said from the family's home in Suffolk. "We live in a ranch house with a long, skinny bathroom. He had gotten so tall, it just wasn't safe for him."

The Didios found inspiration in a family friend's recent bedroom and bath addition.

"It wasn't feasible to redesign what we had, so we built on, too," Jerry explained. ""My family does a lot of woodwork. My dad is a pattern maker. My background is in electronics."

Dona and Jerry didn't have a good picture of what they wanted in the beginning. They purchased a do-it-yourself book and began drawing plans and piecing their ideas together. Size was dictated by what they needed.

"Jerry just decided that he could do it," Dona said. "Once he makes up his mind he wants to tackle something, there's no stopping him."

The result is a beautifully finished addition which is more spa than bathroom. The 7-by-7-foot glass-block shower enclosure has two shower heads and is large enough for Kyle, bath chair, and mom and dad to maneuver about. The multi-jet hot tub is a great spot to relax. Kyle loves country music, so Jerry wired the room for sound. Dona found antique furniture and re-designed it into a double sink and vanity. Details such as recessed lighting, special light fixtures and an arched window provide warmth and light.

Family and friends helped Jerry with framing, plumbing and woodwork. Jerry did the wiring and siding. Contractors did the drywall, plastering and tile.

"Because Kyle is in a wheelchair, you have to meet more codes," Dona said. "We wanted to be sure all those codes were met."

The new bathroom leads into a new sunroom and deck that Kyle enjoys with his parents and brothers, Anthony 16 - who attends Western Branch with Kyle - and Devin, 28.

The Didio bathroom project in Dona's own words:

My husband, Jerry, and I knew we desperately needed a roll-in shower for our son, Kyle, who has cerebral palsy. We were carrying him down the hall and turning him sideways to get him through the bathroom door. He was outgrowing his bath chair and the bathtub. Our family wrote to the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" television show in hopes of getting the help we needed, but found no luck there. We talked about moving, but knew we needed a custom-built home. After a lot of thought, Jerry said, "I can do it. I can build a bathroom."

Then we sat down together and designed the bathroom that would accommodate all Kyle's needs, while creating a beautiful style of our own. This spacious bathroom is 15-by-15 with a large shower to accommodate Kyle's new rolling bath chair.

Jerry and I designed the whole thing. My brother, Eric Farley, did the plumbing, and Jerry assisted every step of the way. We contracted out for the tile work, footing, roofing and the drywall and plastering. Jerry did everything else himself, with a little help from friends and family.

I picked out the furniture and accessories. I like antiques, so I found a hutch and sideboard that we turned into a sink and vanity. We added a hot tub for Kyle to relax in and loosen his muscles. The entry doors are 36-inches wide and the room is spacious to allow easy access of Kyle from the lift to the bath chair.

We made the shower 7-by-7 so Jerry and I could both easily move Kyle's chair around while bathing him. Jerry also built in speakers so Kyle could listen to his favorite music.

We've added style and functionality to our home. I am blessed to have such a great husband who will tackle anything and who will stop at nothing to give Kyle the things he needs to make his life comfortable and functional.

Jerry has never tackled a project this big. It took 12 months to complete; the total cost for the addition, including bathroom, sunroom and deck was about $61,000. For anyone attempting a similar project, we recommend buying a do-it-yourself book to get some helpful pointers. Most importantly, are you physically and mentally prepared for the task? Do your planning and cost estimate - and add about 20-percent for cost increases and incidentals.

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Doy you have a DIY Success Story? Reach Kay Reynolds at 446-2640 or kay.reynolds@pilotonline.com

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