With the help of Richard Buchanan of Archer & Buchanan Architecture in West Chester, Julia Dorsett was able to turn a three-story farmhouse in Kennett Square into her dream home, writes Terri Akman for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Dorsett, who competed in the Paralympics several times in tennis and sailing, fell in love with the 3.5-acre wooded property as soon as she saw the listing for it four years ago. Since the home’s multiple levels did not provide the accessibility needed to accommodate her wheelchair, she called in Buchanan to install an elevator and remodel the home to better fit her needs.

“I’ve been disabled for over 30 years, and I’ve always been independent,” said Dorsett.

Her goal for the home was to make it “beautiful with touches of accessibility here and there that you wouldn’t even notice.”

The architect helped her convert the dining room into the kitchen to give her more space to maneuver her wheelchair, and he also installed a roll-in shower and balcony outside her bedroom.

Read more about Julia Dorsett’s dream home in The Philadelphia Inquirer here.

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