They're seeking an ADA-accessible condo for future tenants

When multiple sclerosis began taking over Mike Volpe's body, it didn't just strip him of his physical abilities. The neurological disorder also began gradually isolating him from the rest of the community.Volpe said he didn't realize at first how dealing with primary progressive multiple sclerosis changed the way he interacted, or didn't, with others.

But looking back, he said, he can see how he started withdrawing from social life, especially as his paralysis increased, and he became unable to work or take care of himself. His journey with MS began in 1977, and 30 years later, he has finally found a community welcoming him with open hearts.

Volpe first heard about CoHo Ecovillage, a cohousing project in Corvallis, three years ago, when CoHo set up a booth outside the Unitarian Universalist Church where Volpe attends.

"I had no idea what it was about, but I ended up reading a brochure," he said. The description of the kind of community-based cooperative living intrigued Volpe, who had long been looking for a place that emphasized personal interaction over isolation. Living on Social Security Disability, Volpe could only afford to be a renter, and apartments generally have transient populations.

"People who are renting generally do not have close community," he said. "They may be close for a little while but they move on … the concept that I could develop a community of people I could actually participate with and interact with, where I could go to their place and they could visit mine, that intrigued me."

Volpe began to attend CoHo meetings, and although he made it clear from the beginning that he could not afford to purchase a home or condo within the development, the community encouraged him to participate in the development of the cohousing project.

"I felt so welcomed by this community," he said. "There were lots of opportunities to participate and give input into the community."

Volpe found himself on a design and development committee, giving his opinions on types of siding, tree removal and cabinetry. As a life-long renter, he said he'd never even had to pick out paint color before, so the project was challenging and exciting.

Originally, Coho participants hoped that the developers would be able to finance a condo unit and rent it out at a subsidized rate to Volpe, but as expenses on the project increased, that idea was no longer feasible. That's when Volpe's future neighbors decided to take matters into their own hands, and raise the money for a two-bedroom, ADA-accessible condo unit in the heart of the development, which Volpe could rent at a low rate.

The unit would be dedicated to use for low-income people with disabilities in perpetuity, and Volpe would be the first tenant, living there for as long as he was able. When he no longer needs the unit, another tenant with physical disabilities would be sought to rent the unit.

The special unit is being built alongside the other homes in the CoHo Ecovillage, and so far, Volpe's neighbors have raised $54,000 toward the $214,000 purchase price of the condo unit.

Renee Hart, who will be one of Volpe's neighbors in the CoHo community, struck up an instant friendship with Volpe, and said he was one of the most positive people she's known. Hart was disabled for seven years during her 20s, after a marathon injury crippled her. Multiple surgeries and two artificial hips later, Hart is now active again, but she understands the isolation Volpe feels.

The CoHo community will benefit from Volpe's caring, his sense of humor and his enthusiasm. Hart believes Volpe's CoHo neighbors all understand why he is an important part of the community.

"Look at what Mike gives, instead of what the community gives to Mike," Hart said.

Because CoHo residents have made integration and inclusion their philosophy, other adults and children with varying levels of ability and income will be part of the community. For Hart, who has a 2-year-old daughter, Esabelle, living in such a place will help her daughter develop a broader sense of what "normal" means.

And Volpe, who never had a chance to be a parent, and who is now legally blind because of his progressive MS, will be able to live surrounded by the sounds of children.

"I'll get to interact with kids on a personal basis," Volpe said. "And that's a real gift."

Fund-raising is continuing on the "Home for Mike," and contributions can be made through Wells Fargo Bank in Corvallis by donating to the "A Home in Community" account. For more information, see www.AHome

ForMike.org. CoHo is in the process of gaining charity status for the Home for Mike project, so that contributions can be tax-

deductible.