Help! I need advice.
 

A person has asked me to teach her how to quilt. That is not the problem. I'm way to much over weight, so I'm not being mean or any thing like that. This person weights about 650-700 lbs. Yes, that much. My worrie is how do I get her downstairs to my sewing room? She has a lot of mobility problems. It's to far to walk around to the bs-ment door and downhill-uphill so she can't go the didstance. The other thing is, what to have for her to sit on? It scares me to death to think of her trying to go down the stairs. 13 steps. What do I do?

I would suggest she go to a LQS for lessons. The store would be more accommodating for her. The classrooms would probably be on street level and would no doubt be able to spread her stuff out.

cant go to her house? that would be the best thing.ask if she has a sewing machine,after all if you teach her ,she needs to be able to have access to a machine when she wants to sew, and not rely on being able to use yours all the time.

Have you seen her "out and about" ? Is she really mobile? At that weight I would think stairs would be a strain on her heart. Have you mentioned that your sewing room is down stairs?
Do not be afraid to bring the issue of her mobility up... she is more than aware of her weight and the restirctions. Be kind and have an concerned discusion , ask her how to best facilitate the leaning process, so she can particpate. In your conversations decribe all that is entailed , but in a lesson plan kinda of way.
Most people who have this type of issue will typically respond well if you ask frankly and with genuine concern.

I would try to go to her house if at all possible. I started quilting when I had an illness and couldn't leave my home for any length of time. Not only did it give me something to do, but it helped me heal faster because I became so passionate about it. I don't think I would have gotten out of the house as soon as I did had it not been for this hobby. If it's not too much trouble for you to go to her house, you may find that you help her become more mobile. Her lessons could be life changing.

ITA with the others ... discuss the matter with her ... and opt for doing it in her home setting, so that she can learn in the environment where she is comfortable. You would be able to help her get her sewing space set up in a way that will work for her.

If you are teaching her from scratch, this could be a long term relationship.

It seems to me that going to her house would be the best solution. Maybe you could offer to get some of the supplies for her. I would be very worried about her getting down the stairs and even more worried about her comming back up the stairs. If you discuss this with compassion, it should be alright. Every one else has given you good advise. Good luck and keep us posted. Teaching another quilter is always a good thing!!
Sue

I have a male friend who is the same size as yours. He is aware that he is fat, and we have had some honest discussions about the issue that none of my furniture is wide enough or may not be strong enough to hold him. In order to spare him embarrassment we have decided that we would visit at his home where he knows that no matter where he sits, he will not break anything and he knows that he can fit through the bathroom door and he knows that he can get up from a sitting position without struggle.

I agree, if possible go to her home. I would think she would be more comfortable there.