The residents and their guests treasure the colorful display of flowers in the backyard, and the seasonal changes in the plentiful trees surrounding Lily House. It is the comfortable home of five Twelveacres' non-ambulatory residents, attended by their staff. The house, including a special shower room, has been modified to accommodate wheelchairs. Lily is a warm and cozy house with a welcoming and happy atmosphere. Each of the bedrooms is decorated with pictures, knick knacks, stuffed animals, and bedding the women have chosen for themselves or have received as gifts from their families and friends. The Lily House residents enjoy having company, and in warm weather they will always draw guests out to their wonderful backyard deck to show off the flower boxes they help care for and are so proud of.
A favorite day trip for the “gallivanting gals” of Lily House is to the zoo at Kelly Park in San Jose. This zoo specializes in exhibits for young people and those in wheelchairs. The petting zoo is spacious, enabling a welcome ease of maneuverability for wheelchairs. The residents love to go into the petting area, especially to pet the baby goats. One of the women in particular enjoys this. Normally rather quiet and subtle, she becomes very animated and outgoing in the petting zoo. According to the house manager, this resident is not shy about holding out her hand for the little animals and stroking them lovingly. “She has a big grin on her face," says the manager, “and she makes happy sounds to the animals.”