Madison County Connection Spring 2026 by Hearst Midwest

Sunday - Monday: Closed | Tuesday - Friday: 9:30 - 5:30 | Saturday: 9:00 - 4:00

Next Day Access:

Helping to enhance safety and mobility at home and at work

For Brian Liberman one of the great joys in owning Next Day Access St. Louis is knowing that every installation is solving someone’s problem or making someone’s life better.

“My mom was a quadriplegic as the end of her life, so I’m very sympathetic to what people need to improve their ability to be safe at home,” Brian explained. “No one calls because they want my products; they call because they need my products.”

Next Day Access specializes in providing custom ramps, stair li s, wheelchair and platform li s, grab bars and walk-in tub conversions. As the company’s name implies, its ability to quote, design and install its mobility solutions is quick.

“Typically, when I get a call, I am able to come out and do an evaluation of the home’s or business’ needs within 24 hours,” Brian said. “We talk about what is needed, look at options, and I provide a quote. On average, we schedule installation about three or four days out, but as our name implies, we can install the same day. We prioritize installations based on need.”

While the majority of Brian’s installations are permanent, portable ramps and stair li s can be rented for a minimum of six months. is is particularly helpful for individuals who are recovering from surgery or injury.

“We can provide something as simple as a three-to-four-foot ramp to address a single step going into a home, or we can build a larger, modular ramp to address multiple steps into the home.”

Brian’s team includes three installers: Joseph Wood, Dominic Bilot and Daniel Wood. All are professionally trained and certi ed on the products they install.

“ e installation guys couldn’t have been any better. ey were knowledgeable, courteous and spot on, showing up on time,” James B. wrote in a ve-star review. “ e team leader, Joe Wood, had a training session on how to use the stair li . e completed product is professional looking. Nothing negative to report. Great group of guys (that I) would hire again.”

Referrals from satis ed customers speak volumes about the work of the Next Daqy Access team.

“We’ve helped thousands of families create safer, more accessible homes – and the feedback says it all,” Brian said.

But it’s not just individuals and families that Next Day Access assists. Businesses also bene t from the company’s wide range of products and services.

“We’ve done everything from portable ramps for a graduation ceremony and a nonpro t event to permanent ramps and platform li s at schools and businesses,” Brian said.

Among the more unique items that Brian’s team is certi ed to install and service are pool li s and personal elevators.

“Another unique option is something called a FlexStep, which is a set of stairs that converts to a wheelchair li . ey’re convenient, especially in areas where there isn’t enough space to put in a ramp. For instance, they’re a great alternative in a garage where the space for a ramp is limited by the need to park a car,” Brian said. He added that, because the product is made from furniture-grade materials, it is attractive and functional.

Because the need for mobility products o en comes as an unexpected expense, Brian noted that the company o ers rent-toown options on some products and third-party nancing with “fairly attractive terms.”

“Our goal really is to help people enjoy greater access to their homes and businesses throughout the St. Louis region and southern Illinois,” Brian said. “Our in-home, or in-business, assessments are free, so if you think we can help you meet your accessibility needs, please give me a call.”

(Photo provided)

Kiyoko Proctor’s path to Division I basketball started with a surprise trip to the gym.

“I got into basketball because of my dad,” Proctor said. “One day he picked me up from school and said we were going somewhere. I didn’t know where, but he ended up taking me to the gym.”

She was just six or seven years old, still in her school uniform, shooting basket after basket.

A spontaneous stop quickly became routine. From that day on, the gym felt like home.

Growing up in Alton, Illinois, Proctor developed into a ﬁerce competitor. She credits her coaches and early experiences playing for state titles and against older competition for shaping her skill and conﬁdence. Now, she plays Division I basketball just 24 minutes from home at SIUE.

“It means a lot,” Proctor said. “A lot of my friends and family come to my games. It’s nice to have all that support and be so close to home.”

Her parents remain her biggest supporters. Her mom provides calm reassurance, while her dad brings encouragement. Their presence became especially important during one of the most challenging moments of her career.

During her junior year of high school, Proctor tore her ACL in the super sectionals.

“I kind of knew what it was, but I didn’t want to think that way,” she said. “After surgery, learning to walk again was very painful.”

The recovery tested her physically, but she refused to let it break her mentally.

“I knew in my head I couldn’t let it aﬀect me,” Proctor said. “Just keep pushing through it.”

She returned for her senior season leading her team to a 34-3 record. Before beginning her college career, she and her father co-authored a book, Two Voices, One Goal: Chasing DI, detailing her journey to Division | basketball.

That sense of family is what drew her to SIUE.

“It just felt like home,” she said. “We trust each other, we trust the coaching staﬀ. We’re a positive team.”

Proctor has backed up that mindset with production leading SUE in scoring in 14 games, including four 20-point performances, and led SIUE in scoring average with 13.7 points per game, ranking 8th in the OVC. Over the course of the season Proctor earned a slew of awards, including OVC Freshman of the Week honors three times and OVC Player of the Week, culminating in being named All-OVC Second Team, All-OVC Newcomer Team, and the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year.

Still, she hopes people see more than statistics.

“I want them to know that I am very strong-minded and humble,” she said. “Just working hard and doing what I love.”

Her goals remain simple: win the OVC Tournament and inspire young athletes back home.

“Make yourself uncomfortable,” she said. “Push yourself to do the hard things. Never give up on your dreams.”

From a spontaneous trip to the gym to Division I success close to home, Proctor’s journey is rooted in family, resilience and belief in herself.