OGDEN, Iowa—A Genesis Development group home in Ogden, IA got the accessibility ramp that it was missing.
Ogden resident, Deb Jacobsen, has been a client of Genesis Development for six years. Through that time, she has lived in a group home, attended day programs and utilized employment services. Earlier in April, Jacobsen moved to the group home in Ogden. The transition was for better living arrangements and accessibility. The one thing that Jacobsen wanted, however, was a ramp to make the access to her home just a little bit easier.
Jacobsen’s brother, Steve Jacobsen is an independent contractor in central Iowa that is based in the Ankeny area. Steve Jacobsen wanted to figure out how to get the ramp for his sister’s new home. Steve Jacobsen got in contact with the Ogden landlord’s, Matt and Tracy Van Sickle. The group decided that the Van Sickle’s would purchase all the materials and Steve Jacobsen would construct the ramp.
On April 14th, Steve Jacobsen constructed the ramp to the entrance of the house. Deb Jacobsen was very happy to have an easier way to get into her home. “The ramp makes everything so much easier. Having this ramp frees me. I can go anywhere.” Said Deb Jacobsen of the addition. The construction took only a single day, but the impacts of the ramp (and the partnership between Genesis Development, Steve Jacobsen and Matt and Tracy Van Sickle) will continue for a long time.
(contributed article and photos, Genesis Development)
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