An open floor plan means freedom for Kevin Grubb, of Hephzibah.

Mr. Grubb, who is paraplegic, and his wife, Debbie, live in a 2,775-square-foot house in Spread Oak subdivision that is completely accessible to him.

The couple received a $50,000 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs to build a custom home for Mr. Grubb. The result is a home that is open and traditional, not institutional.

"We wanted to show you can have an accessible home that doesn't have to look like a hospital," he said.

The master bedroom features French doors that are 6 feet across for easy access to the patio.

"We made them large in case Kevin is bedridden one day," Mrs. Grubb said. ''That way, we can wheel him in and out easily."

The master bathroom includes a 5-foot-by-5-foot roll-in shower with a detachable head on one side and an attached head on the other. The bathroom also has a water spa tub.

The counter space throughout the house has space for Mr. Grubb to roll his chair up to work.

"Everything is lowered for his accessibility," Mrs. Grubb said.

All doors, except on two closets, are 36 inches wide to allow wheelchair access.

The kitchen is equipped for Mr. Grubb's needs, including lowered granite countertops and knobs on the edge of the stove instead of on top.

Mr. Grubb is able to prepare a meal for himself when his wife is not home.

"I don't have to worry about Kevin when I'm not here," Mrs. Grubb said.

They moved in 15 months ago after living in a smaller house in which Mr. Grubb had access only to a bedroom, the living room and part of the kitchen.

Mr. Grubb's health has improved with the move.

"My quality of life is so much better in this home,'' he said. "I can do so much more. My physical strength and endurance have improved."

The Grubbs plan to stay in their Hephzibah house for the rest of their lives.

"This is a home for now and for the future," Mrs. Grubb said. You wouldn't know it was a home for someone in a wheelchair."

Reach Caroline Price at (706) 724-0851 or t.caroline.price@augustachronicle.com.