Broken elevator makes disabled Chicago area woman 'feel like a prisoner'
Broken elevator makes disabled Chicago area woman 'feel like a prisoner'
A disabled suburban woman said she feels trapped in her own home after the elevator in her apartment building went down three months ago.
RIVERDALE, Ill. - A suburban woman says shes been trapped inside her own home for three months, ever since the only elevator in her Riverdale apartment building went out of service.
What we know:
Joyce Isom, who relies on a walker and lives on the second floor of Whistlers Crossing, said her disability makes it nearly impossible to use the stairs. With the elevator down and the buildings intercom also broken, she said daily life has become a painful struggle.
Isom contacted FOX 180 hoping for answers.�
"I cant go up and down the stairs," said Isom, who is disabled and selected the Riverdale apartment because its ADA accessible.�
Isom moved into Whistlers Crossing because the elevator was just steps away from her apartment. Now, she says that convenience has become a barrier.
For three months, she says her world has shrunk to the inside of her unit.
Management letters offer updates, but no timetable
Holsten Management, which oversees the building in the 13700 block of South Lowe Avenue, has sent residents four letters about the outage.
The first letter, dated Oct. 9, said an inspection was underway and advised tenants to use the stairs.
Subsequent notices said a new door and additional parts were ordered. The most recent update on Dec. 1 said the elevator suffered "significant damage" during an emergency rescue, requiring even more parts.
Residents still have no clear date for when the elevator will return to service.
Management responds
During a visit to the building, FOX 180 asked about the risks of being unable to exit quickly.
We reached out to Holsten Management by phone and email. FOX 180 was able to leave a voicemail for company president Peter Holsten.
Holsten later returned our call and said, "We know the elevator outage at Whistlers Crossing has gone on far too long, and were embarrassed by the delay.
"A service call is scheduled today to confirm when the parts will arrive.� We will keep residents updated, including on rent refunds."
Three months in, Isom said she simply wants her independence back.�
She hopes speaking out will finally push management to make the repairsand restore her ability to safely move in and out of her home.
"I feel like a prisoner in my home," she said.