Dan Kotter’s Story: A Custom Accessible Sink for the Wheelchair Dad
- Dino Rachiele
- Aug 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
At Rachiele Custom Sinks, we believe in the power of resilience and the human spirit. Today, I am excited to share the inspiring story of Dan Kotter, also known as the "Wheelchair Dad." Dan's journey is a testament to hope, strength, and unwavering determination. His positive outlook and dedication to overcoming challenges have touched our hearts and motivated us to support him in making his home more accessible.
Dan Kotter is a devoted father of six, a loving husband, and a talented builder. In 2013, a building accident left him paralyzed, but his spirit and passion for life remained unshaken. Despite the obstacles he faces daily, he remains committed to his craft and his family. His messages of hope and resilience resonate deeply with us and many others. We were incredibly moved by his story and inspired to contribute to his mission of making his home fully wheelchair accessible.
When we learned about Dan's need for a custom sink that he could comfortably access from his wheelchair, we knew this was a project we had to undertake. At Rachiele Custom Sinks, we pride ourselves on designing and manufacturing sinks that are not only functional but also tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Building a sink for Dan was an opportunity to put our expertise to use in a meaningful way.
Creating a custom sink for Dan was a special project for me personally. Understanding the importance of accessibility in everyday tasks, we designed a sink that would provide Dan with the ease and comfort he deserves while working in his kitchen.
Recently, we were thrilled to receive a picture of Dan's sink being delivered to his home. Seeing Dan's smile and knowing that our work will positively impact his daily life is incredibly rewarding. We are eagerly anticipating the moment when Dan starts using the sink and experiences the difference it makes in his routine.
Dan's story is a reminder that challenges can be met with creativity, determination, and support from a caring community. We are honored to be a part of Dan's journey and to contribute to making his home more accessible. His strength and positivity inspire us to continue our mission of creating custom solutions that enhance the lives of our clients.
Thank you, Dan, for allowing us to be a part of your story. We know that the kitchen is the heart of the home. We wish you many beautiful moments in your new kitchen! Here's to many more messages of hope, resilience, and triumph!
News 6 came to see the sink
Julie Broughton and the Getting Results team from WKMG News 6 came out to the artisan shop to look at what we had built for Dan. They were interested in the accessibility work, and honestly they were interested in Dan.
He was injured in a construction accident. He and Andrea live in Utah, and I designed his sink over Zoom the same way I design every sink. What made his different was what he needed. The basin is shallow, because you cannot get under a standard sink in a wheelchair. The drain is offset, so the plumbing is not sitting where his knees need to be. And Dan has nerve pain in his arms, so we rounded the front edge of the sink to give him something comfortable to rest them on while he does the dishes.
That last one is not on any spec sheet. It came out of a conversation.
They gave me the Getting Results award for it, which I did not expect and which is not really mine. Four artisans built that sink. Without them I am not doing any of this.
One more thing worth telling. When we checked in with Dan a while after it shipped, it still was not installed. Not because of a problem. He and Andrea decided the sink was too good for the kitchen they had, so they are remodeling the whole room around it.
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