Task 2. Do it yourself.

Well, I'm very impressed by all the work you have done on your house, Mr Miller.

How long have you been working on it?

I first became interested in do it yourself several years ago.

You see, my son Paul is disable.

He's in a wheel-chair and I just had to make alterations to the house.

I couldn't afford to pay workmen to do it.

I had to learn to do it myself.

Have you had any experience of this kind of work?

Did you have any practical skills?

No, I got a few books from the library, but they didn't help very much.

Then I decided to go to evening classes so that I could learn basic carpentry and electrics.

What sort of changes did you make to the house?

First of all, practical things to help Paul.

You never really realize the problems handicapped people have until it affects your own family.

Most government buildings, for example, have steps up to the door.

They don't plan buildings so that disabled people can get in and out.

We used to live in a flat, of course, it was totally unsuitable.

Just imagine the problems a disabled person would have in your house.

We needed a large house with wide corridors so that Paul could get from one room to another.

We didn't have much money and we have to buy this one.

It's over 90 years old and it was in a very bad state of repair.

Where did you begin? The electrics.

I completely rewired the house so that Paul could reach all the switches.

I had to lower the light switches and raise the power points.

I went on to do the whole house so that Paul could reach things and go where he wanted.

What else did you do?

By the time I'd altered everything for Paul, do it yourself had become a hobby.

I really enjoy doing things with my hands.

Look, I even installed smoke alarms.

What was the purpose of that?

I was very worried about fire.

You see, Paul can't move very quickly.

I fitted them so that we would have plenty of warning if there were a fire.

I put in a complete burglar-alarm system.

The front door opens automatically, and I'm going to put a device on Paul's wheelchair so that he'll be able to open and close it when he wants.

What are you working on now?

I'm just finished the kitchen.

I've designed it so that he can reach everything.

Now I'm building an extension so that Paul will have a large room on the ground floor where he can work.

There's a 10,000 pound prize. How are you going to spend it?

I'm hoping to start my own business so that I can convert ordinary houses for disabled people.

I think I've become an expert on the subject.