When Charlotte King bought her Commerce City home in 2008, she had one goal in mind — finding a place where she could stay long-term.
King purchased the home because it met her criteria of having everything on one level. Living with arthritis and later undergoing two knee replacements, stairs and uneven surfaces became more than an inconvenience — they became a daily risk.
The steps outside her home were difficult to navigate without support, and worn carpet inside created tripping hazards while using a walker or crutches.
“The step to go out of the house in the back was a really deep step. So I didn’t have anything to hold onto — I would just kind of inch out of the house, hanging on like I was going off a cliff,” said King.
As her health conditions worsened, it became increasingly dangerous for King to exit her home. At one point, she fell and had to rely on her sister and brother-in-law to help her up.
“When you have mobility issues, it really diminishes your quality of life because you’re always in some level of pain,” said King.
After working with Brothers Redevelopment, King’s quality of life improved dramatically. New steps with a railing made entering and leaving her home safe again, while updated flooring eliminated fall risks inside.
The new flooring has given King peace of mind, especially when moving through her home at night.
The new steps have also restored a sense of normalcy.
“Now I just walk up the stairs like nobody’s business, and for my psychological well-being, that normalcy was a big boost. I don’t feel like I’m disabled or handicapped or limited,” said King. “The limitations don’t affect me now because those circumstances have been mitigated.”
In addition to the modifications, Brothers Redevelopment also provided King with a new oven. Her previous oven had been out for years, forcing her to rely on an air fryer or microwave to prepare meals.
After the new oven was installed, the first thing she made was cornbread in her cast iron skillet.
“I had missed that so much. It was the first thing I did as soon as those people left,” said King.
“I feel like I won the lottery,” she added. “Both my knees are fixed, and I have the railing and new flooring. You can’t stop me — I feel like a million bucks.”