ACCESSIBLE SPACE INC

Thanksgiving Day 1958. An automobile heading south from Texas collided with a bus 80 miles across the Mexican border. The vehicle, with three young men inside, rolled. Two men emerged with superficial injuries, but one young man suffered a severe spinal cord injury that resulted in quadriplegia. It was the start of a long recovery for Maynard Bostrom and years in and out of hospitals and nursing homes. Independence was key for Maynard. “I know I wouldn’t be around if I hadn’t gotten into a more independent living situation. Everyone benefits from it because your health improves. You’re more of a human being. You’re normal, just in a wheel- chair. I’m living now instead of just existing.”

Maynard leads an active life volunteering, traveling, serving on Accessible Space, Inc.’s board of directors, managing his own time and activities, and living in one of Accessible Space, Inc.’s accessible affordable “housing with care” apartments in Rochester, Minnesota.

Maynard moved into his first independent living residence in 1980 in Minneapolis, Minnesota - one of the first five opened by Accessible Space Inc. Today, Accessible Space, Inc. provides accessible, affordable housing, assisted living/supportive care and rehabilitation services to nearly 2,800 very low income adults with physical disabilities, as well as seniors, in 133 community settings in 23states. While ASI continues to respond to the need for accessible, affordable “housing with care” throughout the country, nearly 4,800 people remain on our waiting lists. Despite our success, Accessible Space, Inc. is facing challenging times at the state and federal levels. There are fewer dollars for accessible, affordable housing and for the 24/7/365 care services so many residents need.

Your gifts are needed to help others with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, congenital deformities, stroke, ataxia, post-polio, muscular dystrophy and other orthopedic, neurological and muscular disorders have what we all want – a home of their own with independence.

Together we can change lives, open doors, hear others say, “Life is good.”

Accessible Space, Inc. 2550 University Avenue West ∙ Suite 330N ∙ St. Paul, MN 55114-1052 ∙ 651-654-7271 www.accessiblespace.org

Contact: jrooney@accessiblespace.org