40 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JUNE 2018
INSIDE JOB
GEORGE TO THE RESCUE:
MERRICK DAD GETS ACCESSIBLE
By RUTH BASHINSKY
It may have been just another rescue
for George Oliphant from the
popular NBC home improvement
show George to the Rescue, but for
Adam Halpern, his wife Heather,
and 3-year-old son, Ryder, it meant
the world.
In 2004, Halpern suffered a spinal
cord injury from a car crash that
left him paralyzed. Despite the
challenges of adjusting to life in a
wheelchair, his unwavering spirit
and determination got him through.
In October, the Halperns moved
into their first home in Merrick, a
three-bedroom ranch, but it was far
from move-in ready.
“The home was unacceptable
mainly because of my disability,”
says Adam, 39.
One significant change was ripping
up the steps on the exterior of the
house. The other was removing
all the carpet, since carpet is
difficult to navigate in a wheelchair.
Engineered hardwood floors were
installed throughout the house.
“Those two things were a must,” says
Adam, an adjunct professor/learning
disabilities specialist. “I could not
live in the space without it.”
During the construction, the couple
applied for state-funded resources
to assist people with disabilities.
In the meantime, a co-worker who
is an avid watcher of George to the
Rescue convinced Heather to write a
letter asking George for help. A few
weeks later, the Halperns learned
that they were chosen — a feeling
they likened to hitting the lottery.
George came in with his team to
create a space that would fit the
family’s specific needs, giving
them more accessibility and
independence.
“We opened up doorways,
reduced barriers and added smart
technology,” says George. “This will
all make life easier in and around
the home.”
The U by Moen was an absolute
game changer for Adam, explains
George regarding the customizable
shower technology and smart
phone integration. It works by way
of voice commands through Alexa
(anywhere in the home) or through
his mobile app.
“Adam can preheat the shower
before getting in at his desired
temperature and if he isn’t ready
to enter, the shower will pause at a
temperature he is comfortable with
before entering,” says George.
Other smart related features are
all accessible via smart phone
including: a 3M Filtrete Smart
Filters which will alert him when
it’s time to change out the HVAC
filter in his home. He can also
set his home heating and cooling
through a Honeywell App. And, he
is also connected with Lutron for
all his lighting needs.
“It’s amazing how far home tech
has come. Adam can now operate
a wall switch and devices from the
comfort of his own bed or seat,
right through his smart phone
AFTER:
They opened the
sink cabinet so that
Adam can use it more
comfortably and put in
upper cabinet racks that
come down to counter
height for easy
access.
AFTER: The
washing machine and
dryer used to be in a hardto
get area in the kitchen
now it is tucked away in
the cabinet allowing for
easy-access.
BEFORE:
They had a galley
kitchen that was not
wheelchair-friendly. The
space was opened up
to make it easier for
Adam.
AFTER:
The kitchen
peninsula has
tiered countertops
and a microwave
drawer.
L. to r.: George Oliphant of NBC’s
Georege To The Rescue with
Heather Halpern, her son, Ryder,
and husband, Adam.