Mary Lukin was forced to medically retire at the age of 56 due to a deterioration of her health caused by multiple sclerosis and decided to take a lump sum from her pension.
Although she toyed with the idea of booking a round-the-world cruise, instead, she knew common sense had to prevail and that she needed to make sure her home was adapted for when her condition would inevitably get worse.
“I did the sensible thing and decided to spend the money on improving and future-proofing my house. I am a realist and know I could potentially end up in a wheelchair.
“I live in a three-bedroomed house with one bedroom upstairs, so I wanted a downstairs single storey extension for a shower and toilet. I also wanted to make my kitchen bigger, to allow for a wheelchair when the time came.”
Mary, now 61, who lives in Southampton, took early retirement from her career of 20 years working with vulnerable families to prevent homelessness as her MS, which she was diagnosed with in 2016, was affecting her mobility.
