Monday, June 29, 2015

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (June 17, 2015)—Nine-year-old Natalie Olsen and her family have had a busy summer and June 16 was no exception.

The Olsens opened up their home and yard to more than 20 volunteers to install new home accessibility equipment. The equipment included wheelchair ramps for the front and back of the home; grab bars and swivel hinges were also installed within the home.  

At the age of two, Natalie was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy—a genetic neuromuscular disease characterized by muscle atrophy and weakness. The new equipment will provide safe and independent access to her home and to the backyard where she loves to swing and play with her younger brothers, Isaiah and Andrew. 

“The ramps will give Natalie choice and dignity of choosing,” said Annie Olsen, Natalie’s mother. “They provide options, and now she will be able to get in and out of the house safer and easier.”

The equipment and installation were donated by VGM Group, Inc. employee owners, on behalf of VGM Heartland Conference, as part of the launch of Access Day USA. The nationwide campaign, championed by nonprofit Evergreen Life Access, promotes safe home access for people with a physical limitation who are in need. Charter sponsors of Access Day USA nationwide events are EZ-ACCESS and VGM. 

“It has been an honor to host the first Access Day USA and to have the campaign launch in the Cedar Valley during VGM’s annual Heartland Conference,” said Christa Miehe, vice president of strategic projects for VGM. “We are proud to set the precedent as home medical equipment providers across the nation begin planning their own Access Day USA in their communities.” 

After a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting, the Olsens were looking forward to getting back to a typical summer day.

“Thank you for choosing our family for Access Day,” said Dan Olsen, Natalie's father.  “We are so thankful for all of the planning that has gone on to make this happen. It was a special moment for Annie and me to see Natalie fly out to the backyard with her brothers for the very first time.”    

For more information about Access Day USA, visit accessdayusa.com and follow on Facebook at Access Day USA.

About Access Day USA

Access Day USA is celebrated as a day for organizations and individuals across the country to work together to help our fellow American’s realize their dream of having full access to their home and the life outside of it. 
Spearheaded by Evergreen Life Access, Access Day USA partners home medical equipment providers, other businesses, charity organizations, philanthropic-minded citizens, funding sources and government entities to coordinate home accessibility installations. By working together they provide recipients with installation of donated wheelchair ramps, porch lifts and other devices that will increase safety, independence and quality of life. 
Recognizing that everyone deserves to be able to get in and out of their home regardless of physical limitations, Access Day USA also celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the American’s with Disability Act and serves as a means to re-engage American’s and bring awareness to the many challenges still facing our disabled citizens.  
Access Day USA launched on June 17 with the dedication of the first ramp installation. The big unveiling took place in Waterloo, Iowa, and marked the first of 75 ramps to be installed nationwide.