When a loved one suddenly experiences accessibility challenges, life flips overnight.
One day, your routines and your home feel familiar and effortless, and the next, every doorway, hallway, and floor surface becomes a question mark. Suddenly, you notice the tight corners, the thick carpet pile, the thresholds you used to step over without thinking. This brings a mix of urgency and overwhelm. You want your loved one to be safe, comfortable, and independent, while you’re still adjusting to the reality that so much needs to change. You start reimagining spaces that were once just “home” into ones that are now both functional and supportive.
“I tell people the floor is like your skin. It's the most used part of your house. You can't not use your floor. So, if your floor is in disrepair or in poor condition, it's not something you can avoid. It is about restoring comfort, dignity, and pride in a home that means so much to the family living in it,” said Amy Schertz, Owner of Floor Coverings International® of Metro Wichita, KS.
More Than a Renovation: A Renewal
In both Wichita and Atlanta, two customers experienced the same wave of urgency and uncertainty that often follows when a loved one’s mobility needs change overnight.
In Wichita, Amy Schertz—Floor Coverings International of Metro Wichita, KS franchise owner—met the Lemons, whose lives had been reshaped after a work injury left Mr. Lemons using a wheelchair. Their carpet was torn, stained, and no longer safe, turning simple, everyday movement into a serious obstacle.
In metro Atlanta, Jennie Hong—Floor Coverings International of Northeast Atlanta, GA franchise owner—met Mr. and Mrs. Taylor after a stroke left Mrs. Taylor in a wheelchair and unable to communicate. After months of searching and frustration, Mr. Taylor met with Jennie, hoping she could help them find a safer and more supportive flooring solution.
Both customers had been living with torn and worn-out carpets for years, which was affecting the accessibility of their homes. But neither family wanted to compromise on style. Mrs. Lemons did not want carpet, tile, or glue-down LVP, while Mrs. Taylor envisioned real wood with minimal texture and no distinctive features.
The Stars of Flooring® were more than ready to take on these unique projects.
Custom Flooring & Wheelchair Ramp for Safe, Seamless Living
After franchise owner Jennie Hong met with the Taylors, her team quickly recognized the difficulty they’d been facing. Finding the right flooring wasn’t just about style—it was about comfort, safety, and dignity.
Our Mobile Showroom® arrived at their home with over 3,000 flooring samples, ready to help Mrs. Taylor find the perfect fit. But two hours later, every sample had been reviewed, and nothing felt right. Mrs. Taylor, unable to speak due to her stroke, couldn’t explain what was missing—and the frustration was heartbreaking.
Many would have stopped there, thinking the ideal solution simply didn’t exist. But Jennie didn’t flinch. She smiled gently and stayed the course. Giving up just wasn’t an option.
Over the next several months, Mr. Taylor became a familiar and welcome face to the Northeast ATL franchise. Every two weeks, he would check in and ask, “Do you have anything new?”
Then one visit felt different. Jennie pulled out a single sample board that had just come in—something she had picked up over the weekend, thinking of the Taylors.
“Mr. Taylor,” she said, “I got this over the weekend. I think it’s the one you want.”
His eyes lit up. “My God, I think that’s it!” he exclaimed. Excited, he asked, “Can I show it to my wife?”
He brought the board home, quietly hopeful. For a full week, Mrs. Taylor examined it with intention—morning light, evening shadows, every detail considered. She couldn’t speak the words, but her eyes said everything. This time felt different.
And then, with a gentle nod, she gave her answer: “Go.”
That one word carried the weight of months of searching, waiting, and not settling. The flooring was ordered, delivered, and installed—a beautiful finish to a journey fueled by love, determination, and trust.
One of the most meaningful elements of the project was creating a wheelchair ramp that felt like part of the home—not an afterthought. To maintain both safety and beauty, Jennie’s team finished the ramp with the same custom hardwood used throughout the house, ensuring it looked intentional. The result was a space where Mrs. Taylor could move freely and confidently, without sacrificing the elegance she and her husband had envisioned. It wasn’t just a practical solution—it was a thoughtful touch that turned accessibility into comfort, dignity, and peace of mind.
Durable, Accessible Flooring Built to Last
Meanwhile, Wichita franchise owner Amy Schertz went above and beyond for the Lemons.
“My Dad was in a mechanical wheelchair, so I get it. They destroy the walls, they’re tough on floors, and run into everything,” said Schertz.
Mrs. Lemons was clear: no glue-down, no cold commercial flooring. She wanted laminate or engineered wood that felt warm and homey but could withstand the weight of a wheelchair.
They also faced the additional challenge of navigating Workers' Compensation Insurance. FCI stepped in to bridge the gap, carefully navigating insurance limitations while working tirelessly to find a product that could handle wheelchair traffic and complement the custom wood accent wall Mrs. Lemons’ children had built in the hallway to replace the sheetrock damaged by Mr. Lemons' wheelchair.
While workers’ compensation insurance would replace the carpet as-is, it wouldn’t meet Mr. Lemons' accessibility needs or Mrs. Lemons’ desire for a durable, stylish solution.
Finally, Amy found the perfect fit and even went a step further by securing a direct letter from the manufacturer guaranteeing the floor’s durability under a wheelchair. When the new floors were installed, they didn’t just make mobility easier and safer—they gave the Lemons back a sense of pride in their home.
These weren’t just flooring projects. They were love stories told in wood grain and smooth thresholds. While this story started out as one about accessible flooring, what it ended up truly being about was the love that these families shared.
“The transformation gave them a fresh start and a home they could both feel good in again. It’s exactly the kind of project that reminds you why you fell in love with your home in the first place,” said Amy Schertz.
Creating a Home for Everyone
With both the Lemons in Wichita and the Taylors in Atlanta, one truth stood out: these were families determined not just to adapt their homes, but to reclaim them.
Through persistence, compassion, and creative problem-solving, FCI helped transform spaces that once felt unsafe into homes that now reflect comfort, beauty, and a deep sense of belonging.
When you work with FCI, you’re not just hiring a flooring team—you’re gaining a dedicated, trusted partner who understands the emotional and practical challenges of making a home truly accessible.
We’ve walked alongside countless families through life-altering moments, and we know that empathy, patience, and clear communication matter just as much as expert craftsmanship. Our Design Associates bring our Mobile Flooring Showroom® directly to your door, allowing us to see your space firsthand and recommend thoughtful solutions that blend safety, function, and style.
From smooth transitions for wheelchairs to slip-resistant finishes and everything in between, we focus on the details that matter most. And we do it all in close collaboration with you—to ensure the final result supports your needs and reflects your vision.
Because in the end, it’s not just about making your space safer. It’s about making it feel like home again. And at Floor Coverings International, we don’t stop until it’s right. We’re not happy until you’re happy.
Looking to fall more in love with your home? Our local teams are here to help bring warmth, style, and comfort to every corner of your home. Schedule a FREE in-home consultation with us today.
