Jason Dorwort

Jason’s entire family has been in the building industry since he was young. His dad has retired, and his brother has his own company in Denver. From 1996 to 2000, Jason was a laborer and framer working on single-family homes.

The accident left him with limited use of his arms and hands, and in a power wheelchair. Following the accident, Jason finished college and started working for The Homebuilders Foundation, the charitable arm of the Homebuilders Association of Metro Denver. He worked in communication and project coordination for the HBF until he entered graduate school in 2006. Following completion of his MA degree, he taught disability studies, and theater/film theory at Oberlin College in Ohio. As a professor, he had the opportunity to continue his studies, and earned his doctorate two years ago. All this enabled him to transition fully off Social Security disability and Medicare due to an increase in income, but it also left him with additional expenses. Expenses such as co-pays and non-covered costs on his durable medical equipment, which amounts to thousands of dollars per year. In addition, a home health aide helps him get up, shower and go to bed every day, costing about $1000 per month.

Jason and his wife purchased a home in September 2008, and they used their accessory remodeling budget to install a roll in shower. The front door was not accessible to Jason, but there was an accessible entrance through the garage. Jason did not think lack of front door accessibility would be a problem, but it did limit his options in the event of a fire. Two recent incidents however made him rethink this approach. First, he had a situation where the garage door opener stopped working, and he could not get back into the house until a technician came out. Second, his two-year-old daughter recently became tall enough to open the front door. She did so, and Jason had to go out through the garage in order to get her. By the time he was able to reach her, she was already out near the street.

He also wanted an outdoor space where he could sit with his daughter, because his backyard was not fenced and it was easy for her to get away. This realization came at a bad time however. He recently had to spend $2600 to refurbish his wheelchair, costs not covered by insurance. That is when he searched online and found the Joseph Groh foundation. He requested funds for a contractor to provide front door access, along with a front entry deck and ramp. Thanks to all of you, we were able to meet Jason’s request. Now, he is able to navigate the front door with ease for himself, his daughter and his new puppy!