Disabled Man Seeking Guiness World Record for Fastest "Roll" Across America

BOSTON, MA -  Homes That Change Lives™ announced today that Matt Eddy and Ron Steenbruggen are in the midst of a cross-country trip to raise money and awareness to assist the growing number of those with special needs that lack adequate housing.  The duo is attempting to set a Guinness World Record “Trans USA by Wheelchair” Claim ID 279955 while conducting the “Million Smiles Tour”. 

Matt has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and is only strong enough to move two fingers.  He is confined to a wheelchair and requires a ventilator to breathe.  Matt left Lynn Beach in Lynn, Massachusetts on June 5, 2010 and is driving his wheelchair on back roads across the USA with a final destination of The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California.  Matt is attempting to cross the USA in the shortest time by wheelchair while collecting one dollar from one million people.  The journey is estimated to take 120 days.  The funds raised on the “Million Smiles Tour” will support programs provided by Matt's Place Inc.  

Matt’s journey was inspired by the fact that Matt was made temporarily homeless in 2008, as a result of his landlord’s foreclosure.  Matt had lived successfully in a disability accessible apartment for 7 years prior.  This event inspired Matt to complete his first “roll” across America in 2008 to raise money and awareness about the effect of the national foreclosure crisis on housing for individuals with disabilities.  When Matt returned from this trip, the City of Lynn purchased and renovated the home he had been living in so that Matt could stay there. The city also renovated the upstairs apartment so that another individual with disabilities now has adequate housing.

Homes that Change Lives™ (HCL), a national 501(c)(3) non-profit in Matt’s hometown is providing support for Matt on his trip.  HCL and Matt’s Place work together to help people with severe physical disabilities who are intellectually capable of directing their own care live independently in the community.  Currently there are millions of non-elderly adults living in nursing homes and chronic care institutions because there is a severe shortage of affordable accessible housing.  The programs of HCL and Matt's Place are a win-win situation for all Americans.  Enabling people with severe physical disabilities to live independently within their community not only provides a better quality of life. but also saves tax payers 2/3 of the cost of institutionalized care which can be over one million dollars per year per person.  

Dawn Duncan, HCL’s President, said those interested in donating to the cause can give via the web at http://www.homesthatchangelives.org/Donations.asp.  The $1 million that Matt seeks to raise will help Matt create an independent living community for others like himself who are confined to institutions.
 

“Everyone tells me that I may die before I reach California but I’m committed to roll across America, ventilator/wheelchair and all, to raise money and awareness for others like me.  I have to help people understand that people with disabilities need to be able to live in the community, NOT be confined to institutions,” Matt said.