The Origins of the Wheel Chair Home - 1920 to 1929

  "Look for fulfillment, anticipate success, so let us give this dream of ours of a perfectly equipped addition to our Home our most careful and thoughtful consideration."

With these words Maude L. Chandler, the fourth President, rallies the Board and members of the Wheel Chair Home to move forward with plans for expansion.

In June of 1921, the home caresfor twenty patients, with four on the waiting list. As Mrs. Chandler said, "I see the need of more single rooms. Is it right to put two antagonistic dispositions together?" The need for a hospital room, elevator and better fire protection are also paramount.

Once again, this group of women takes up the challenge of expansion. They lay the cornerstone on September 8, 1922 and the large addition that contained a dining room, modern kitchen, solariums on each floor and elevator is completed July 15, 1923. This increasescapacity to 45 patients. Yet, the organization still always has a long waiting list.

An article in "Buffalo Saturday Night" describes the daily life at the Wheel Chair Home. "A tour of the home reveals the patients in various occupations - some are well enough to do a little sewing perhaps, or knitting or fancy work. One friendly lady I found playing solitaire and we at once launched into a lively discussion of the million or so ways of playing that fascinating game. Some of the patients are able to wheel themselves from room to room, exchanging calls in the most neighborly fashion imaginable. There's an enormous advantage in performing your social duties in that way - think of the white gloves you save!"

To pay their construction debt the group relies on card parties and dances at 75 cents and one dollar per ticket. Luncheons, Bazaars and lawn fete add to the coffers. While the Board planned how to pay for the building addition, they did not budget for furnishings. "Friends came from everywhere and checks for furnishing rooms were received from... Mr. Ansley Wilcox, Women's Circle of the Presbyterian Church of Kenmore... Hamilton Mission Club... and the Junior Board."  Through generous donations, they fully furnish thirty-two rooms. 

In the Annual Report dated June 30, 1924, the Auditor reports that the cost per patient day is $1.79. According to the Matron, M.G. Tuttle, forty-three patients livein the home as of July 1, 1924. Staff consists of a superintendent, nine nurses and a volunteer medical staff.

The 1925 Constitution and By-Laws outline the management of the Wheel Chair Home for Incurables as "under the control of the Board of Directors of fifteen (15) members who shall in all cases be members or attendants of Protestant Churches."

According to the 1927 Annual Report: "We welcome visitors every afternoon from one to four-thirty o'clock, and it is an inspiration to see how bravely and cheerfully our patients bear their burdens."

By 1927, the Wheel Chair Home has 350 active members, an equal number of associate members and a Junior Board. Forty-five patients live there.

With the support of the members, the Wheel Chair Home directors burn their mortgage at three o'clock on May 14, 1928.