Senators, Comcast, volunteers build ramp in Monroe
LANSING — A Monroe County man has greater independence thanks to the “Michigan Mobility & Accessibility Partnership.” Today a group of dedicated volunteers constructed a wheelchair-accessible ramp at the Monroe home of Patrick Redmond, the third of five such scheduled builds taking place across Michigan this summer.
“Through the sponsorship and leadership provided by Comcast, Patrick will be able to come and go from his home much easier with the new ramp,” said Sen. Randy Richardville, R-Monroe. “I’m pleased to be a part of this effort to increase mobility and accessibility for a local Monroe resident.”
Sponsored by Comcast, the partnership is a bipartisan effort led in the Senate by Sen. Mark C. Jansen, R-Gaines Township, other elected officials, disability advocates and local volunteers.
Comcast has committed $30,000 in funding for construction of the ramps, as well as volunteers to assist with the projects at each location. Comcast has a long-standing history of giving back to the communities where its employees and customers live and work. In April, approximately 2,400 volunteers dedicated more than 11,000 hours of community service to nonprofit organizations across Michigan during the company’s 2009 Comcast Cares Day. Held annually, Comcast Cares Day is one of the largest single-day corporate volunteer efforts in the country.
“Comcast is committed to making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Comcast Vice President of Engineering, Dale Kirk. “We are pleased to assist in making Patrick’s daily life a little easier with this new wheelchair ramp and home repair support, and look forward to partnering with the Michigan Senate to help out two additional deserving individuals later this month.”
Mike Everett, an associate of State Line Medical in Dundee, was on hand to help with ramp construction. State Line Medical is owned by Dundee residents Mary and Bill Williams.
“I’m pleased to be involved with this project,” said Everett, of Monroe. “I’m glad to donate my time and skills to help someone.”
The next ramp build is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17 in the Lansing area and a fifth ramp build is planned for Aug. 31 in the 12th Senate District. Ramps were previously constructed in Rockford and Flint.
“Patrick now has the freedom to come and go from his own home – which is something many take for granted,” Jansen said. “For users, a wheelchair ramp equals greater independence. I’m thrilled to participate in such a vital and worthwhile partnership.”
According to a May 2002 report, titled Wheelchair Use in the United States, the Disability Statistics Center at the University of California, San Francisco stated that “an estimated 1.6 million Americans residing outside of assisted living facilities use wheelchairs.”
Redmond, who has been living at the residence for about two years without a wheelchair-accessible ramp, said the new ramp signifies a “world of ease” for him.
“This ramp is going to make my life much easier,” Redmond said. “It will give me extreme independence. I appreciate everything they’ve done for me.”
Posted: Friday, August 07, 2009
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