Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen for Chef Peter

Hi, my name is Colleen Kwong and my friends and family are encouraging me to ask for help in raising money to build a wheelchair accessible kitchen so my husband Peter House Kwong can cook again. This year Peter suffered complications of diabetes and went from independence to having his lower legs amputated on December 4th and being confined to a wheelchair.

It is difficult to describe how devastating this disease has been, and how important it is for Peter to be able to access his kitchen, to cook for friends and family, and to prepare to resume his teaching in the community where he shares his passion for cooking with others.

His resilience and positive attitude inspire others to overcome all hardships and be able to joyfully celebrate life one day at a time. Peter has donated to many local causes by auctioning off his cooking services for groups, sometimes even following dinner with a few songs on the guitar—Peter Kwong, Dinner and Song! Giving him access to his kitchen again will boost his spirit, help him maintain his emotional center, and help him work through the challenges he faces with his physical healing.

Our kitchen is not wheelchair accessible. With help from a good kitchen remodeler, we can take out some barriers, lower the stovetop and workspaces, level the floors, change the cabinets to pull out drawers and make it possible for him to get back to his passion for cooking. Cooking is not just Peter’s passion, it is the center of his life and who he is. We are hoping to find a contractor by the end of January and begin construction shortly thereafter.

Peter has always said that he is glad that I cannot cook, as I have other gifts, and it leaves the kitchen to him. Well now he is not sure that is a good thing. Peter started working in restaurants as a dishwasher when he moved to the U.S. from Hong Kong many years ago. Working his way up through the restaurant business, he served as restaurant consultant until recently. He is trying to instruct me in the kitchen, and I am in need of a new accessible kitchen too so I can get out of his way. I try to remind him that I am not his restaurant staff or sous chef, but it is difficult for him to stop teaching and training.

If you are able, please help us both by donating to a new accessible kitchen. Please share our story to help our dream come true!