SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 26, 2020
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She makes home life easier for the disabled BY PAUL MARYNIAK Progress Executive Editor
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taying in place has a special meaning for Dr. Emily Reilly. The Scottsdale woman and her business, Purposefully Home, is all about making that place comfortable and efficient for people whose disabilities might not necessarily have them looking at their home as a place where their heart is. Her business is all about improving the functionality of their home, ultimately making it more comfortable. The modifications could range from a lower bathroom sink for a wheelchairbound person to a total kitchen makeover to make cabinets, appliances and stationary equipment easy to reach. Reilly explains her mission simply: “I help transform a person’s home from a just-for-now home to a forever home.” It could involve a parent looking to
Dr. Emily Reilly helps makes homes more navigable for disabled people. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)
childproof their home, a multigenerational family living under one roof trying to accommodate everyone, someone
recovering from an injury, a child with special needs or seniors looking to live in their home and avoid being placed in a facility for the elderly. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for her business likely become more noticeable for some. With stay-at-home orders in place, she said, “families have had to completely transition their homes into work spaces, school rooms, entertainment and home gyms. If some of the environment was designed for ease of use, there may be a lot less turmoil within" them. On the other hand, she added, “working directly with families in their homes requires travel from place to place and a lot of interaction within the community." Combined with other factors, she explained, "it can be challenging to effectively meet the needs of clients to coordinate care.” “Home projects can be low-tech or
very involved in larger scale remodels but many people are uncertain when a loved one may return home or the future of their own employment," Reilly added. "Therefore, financial stress and general concern for exposing loved ones" have become roadblocks to business. Reilly is not an interior designer per se. With a master’s degree in occupational therapy from The Sage Colleges in Troy, New York, she earned a doctorate in health science from Nova Southeastern University and an advanced certificate in home modifications through University of Southern California. As an occupational therapist with experience in long-term care, Reilly thinks of a home “beyond the typical ‘fridge, stove, counter, done' model.” She started her company in 2017 largely after caring for her mother and
see HOME page 22
Scottsdale businesses helping nonprofits BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer
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hroughout April, restaurants, schools and businesses small and large have been giving back to hospitals and healthcare workers, nonprofits, essential workers and other hometown heroes with face masks, sanitation wipes or free meals. Mission2Alpha, a local nonprofit for injured veterans and first responders, partnered with Rooster Tavern to donate $500 worth of meals to both the Scottsdale Police Department District 3 Vía Linda and to the Scottsdale Fire Department Station 610. Evening Entertainment Group has so far donated more than 500 meals from Casa Amigos to HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea
On April 14, Casa Mia and CM2 Pizzeria & Bake Shop donated 150 meals to HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, “to give thanks to frontline heroes.” (Casa Mia and CM2 Pizzeria & Bake Shop)
Medical Center, HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, Mayo Clinic and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. They will drop off an additional 300 meals paid for by their loyal customers within the next couple of weeks. HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center also received 150 meals from Casa Mia and CM2 Pizzeria & Bake Shop. Brat Haus’ Scottsdale location provided free meals to more than 1,500 essential workers at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center as part of its “Feed the Heroes” program. “These incredible people are risking their lives daily in order to help others,” said Dave Andrea, Brat Haus owner. “It’s
see DONATIONS page 22
