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by Jordan Staggs photography courtesy of Chr is to p he r K id s
A child’s room or playroom can be many things. It’s a place to rest and sleep, read bedtime stories, play, learn, grow, and become independent as the child learns to dress or clean up without help. The private retreat is sacred, providing room to breathe and be oneself without fear of judgment or criticism. ith a little imagination, a room becomes a jungle, a palace, a dance studio—with siblings, maybe even a wrestling ring. For children with special needs, be they due to physical or intellectual disabilities or chronic illness, a bedroom is just as important. Unfortunately, traditional setups or building styles might make that retreat challenging to navigate. That’s where the team at Christopher Kids comes in. Chris Reebals, the president and principal architect at Christopher Architecture & Interiors, founded Christopher Kids with a mission to help children with special needs by customizing bedrooms and other personal spaces that enhance their quality of life at home. From bedrooms and bunk rooms to tree houses, playrooms, bathrooms, and more, Christopher’s skilled designers have joined forces for good to help children and their families.
effects causing physical limitations. Shameria shares a bedroom with her sister, so it was a double dose of happiness as Christopher Kids got to work! They started with a site visit to the home so they could begin planning the redesign. “We needed to ensure that there was ample space for Shameria’s wheelchair to move easily through the room, that the beds were at a low enough height for smooth transitioning, that there was plenty of storage, and that we added lots of pink and girly touches!” says the nonprofit’s blog. “We left feeling so inspired and eager to start dreaming.”
Based in Birmingham, Alabama, the nonprofit’s reach extends across the Southeast, serving children under twelve whose lives have been altered, whether by illness, impairment, or injury. “Through Christopher Kids, we are able to utilize our talent, passion, and expertise in design while giving back to children with exceptional stories,” the organization’s website states. The designers hope to make spaces more accessible and functional for the children they serve and create rooms with decor and elements that will foster imagination and fun. What better way to lift a child’s spirits and encourage growth? That’s exactly what designer Madi Gurley and the rest of the Christopher team did for the nonprofit’s first recipient. This summer, Christopher Kids partnered with Make-a-Wish Alabama to provide a new bedroom for Shameria, a young girl living with a neurological disorder that requires her to use a wheelchair and has other V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 35
