Carolyn Osborn, Greeley, Colorado.

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The Greeley Center for Independence

When you ask Carolyn Osborn to describe what access to health care means to her, you won’t get a short answer.  You’ll hear a personal story of courage and resilience living as a quadriplegic with polio.

Carolyn is one of the nation’s oldest survivors of the iron lung. At 62 years of age, she lives in Greeley, Colorado, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and where she now works for a company that provides caregiving, advocacy and companion services to people with disabilities.

Her goals for living have always been very basic–getting the care she needs while preserving the independence she desires. “If you aren’t disabled it’s hard to understand the challenges that must be overcome to accomplish these goals,” says Carolyn.

Imagine making a simple appointment with the doctor for a bad cold, a persistent bed sore, a pelvic or breast exam, or a dental appointment to fill a cavity? Here are some of the obstacles: there are few if any physicians who will take Medicaid or Medicare patients, few whose doors can accommodate a power wheelchair, fewer still with examining rooms equipped with ceiling tracks to hoist or move patients and few with medically-trained staff to deal with the special health concerns of those with severe disability.  Especially challenging for those living in rural areas like Weld and surrounding counties, is transportation to and from the appointment. The reality is that preventative care has been out of reach for several thousand residents of northeast Colorado.

The Greeley Center for Independence (GCI) is trying to change all of that.  With a grant from The Colorado Health Foundation, the Center is expanding a therapy facility to build a health center especially for those with severe disabilities, is training medical professionals in the community and is making access to quality care for the disabled their number one priority.

“Community education and awareness is a critical part of our plan as well,” says Hope Cassidy, GCI executive director.  “The success of the project depends on the help of our collaborative partners.” GCI works with the Northern Colorado Medical Center, The Brain Injury Association, the Veterans Administration and housing organizations in the area for the disabled and the homeless.

Carolyn got polio when she was six years old.  It’s been a tough journey but not one without hope.  At 16 years she went back into the iron lung and about 20 years ago her lungs collapsed and she went into a coma. She survived all of it to finish her education, to become an artist, to get a job. Now on a respirator, she has gone on to find even greater measures of freedom and independence and has seen many changes that have improved the lives of those with disabilities. She lives in the Camelot residence owned by GCI, especially designed for adults with severe disabilities.  Her home allows her to work, keep an independent lifestyle and still get medical care —the care she needs with the independence she desires.  “It has a nice ring to it,” says Carolyn. “There ought to be more places like this.”

For more about the Greeley Center for Independence, visit www.gci.org.