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A young adult can be paralyzed in a second, then what is left? A broken body
but still a keen mind. If the body can be supported, the mind can accomplish
wonderful things. The individual will not be a burden on family, friends,
and society. They can become self-supporting. |
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The Inspiration
 On
November 19, 1963 The Ohio State Lantern carried a front page
article titled, “Student injured in football game”. It was the
championship touch football game between Phi Delta Theta and
another fraternity. The last play of the game Dick Maxwell was
scoring a touchdown when he was injured, breaking his neck. After
two years of surgeries and rehabilitation, Dick returned to classes with the
help of his mother, fraternity brothers and high school friends who lifted his
manual wheelchair for him to attend classes in the then-inaccessible OSU buildings.
On June 7, 1968, almost five years after his accident, Dick’s picture was in
the Columbus Dispatch accompanying an article titled, “Quadriplegics stymied
by lack of home”. Dick was working and living at Dodd Hall; the article emphasized
there was no place for people to go once they were rehabilitated. Dick was pictured
with Jack Dacre who faced the same problem after being paralyzed in an automobile
accident at the age of 20. Jack spent time in Dodd Hall and then, because of
a lack of accessible housing, he moved to a nursing home. He earned his college
degree while he lived at the nursing home – a student transported him to and
from classes using a portable wheelchair and lifting him into the car.
The Solution
Creative
Living Founders: Dr. Ernest Johnson,
architect Charles M. Frank,
lawyer Ed Whipps,
real estate developer Bud Savage and Dick Maxwell
Creative Living was founded in Columbus, Ohio by OSU professionals
and community members. It solved the housing dilemma for physically
disabled individuals who needed some assistance but still desired
to live on their own. They could improve their quality of life
and become as independent as possible. Creative living opened 18
apartments in September 1974. Because it was filled to capacity
and the need for such housing was growing, Creative Living II was
built and opened 16 more apartments in August 1986.
Creative Living continues to be recognized as an innovative, cost-effective
alternative to skilled nursing facilities, where costs for similar
care would increase ten-fold. Our residents are grateful to Creative
Living; they have fuller and richer lives because of the opportunity
to develop their potential while residing with us.
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