Archive for Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Cross-country trip raising awareness about housing for disabled adults
Two Boston residents made their way through Lawrence this afternoon as part of a cross country trip aimed to help raise awareness about housing difficulties for the disabled.
August 20, 2008
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Without a car, Matt Eddy and Ron Steenbruggen left New England on June 30 to embark on a mission across the United States. Day 52 of that assignment brought them right through Tonganoxie and then to Lawrence on Wednesday.
Eddy, in a motorized wheelchair, and Steenbruggen, on a bike, are taking a long trip to Long Beach, Calif., to raise awareness about housing and institutionalization issues that face disabled adults like Eddy, a 31-year-old man from Lynn, Mass., with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Midday Wednesday, Eddy and Steenbruggen rolled through Tonganoxie on U.S. Highway 24-40 and then traveled south on the highway to Lawrence. They planned to travel south through Lawrence on U.S. Highway 59 and then west on U.S. Highway 56, which intersects with U.S. 59 about 10 miles south of Lawrence.
Eddy brainstormed the trip four years ago and decided to take action in May when he lost his housing through foreclosure.
He and Steenbruggen, his caretaker, average about 30-40 miles a day in ideal conditions.
They don't yet know when they will arrive in Long Beach, but they are spreading the word about their nonprofit organization: Matt's Place.
For more information on Matt's Place and Eddy, go to officialmattsplace.org
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20 August 2008
at 6:35 p.m.
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pace (Anonymous) says…
These people are doing real work. Even the old folks homes and most assisted living places are not built for handicapped. The apartments at Presbyterian Manor and at Brandon woods do not have accessible sinks, doors, etc. it is down right creepy. Hey developers, how about adding accessible to your next complex!!!!!!
24 August 2008
at 7:48 a.m.
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daleyb4 (Anonymous) says…
Hi and Thanks from Massachusetts,My sincere thanks to all of your great state that have helped my friends Matt and Ron along their amazing journey. These guys are the real deal!! Matt lives with daily challenges of DMD. Let's hope their cross country trip will gather support for their non-profit Matt's Place.Thanks for your kindness!!