29-067 (3) °¢ WEST ROXBURY VA MEDICAL CENTER
1400 VFW Parkway T
West Roxbury, MA 02132 +���R
Sandra K.Kostyk,M.D.,Ph.D. Harvard Mediea[Sdioof
Spinal Cord Injury Service Department of Neurology
Phone: (617) 323-7700 x 6557
Fax: (617) 363-5553
E-mail: KOSTYK.SANDRA_K+@BROCKTON.VA.GOV
e
Building Inspector August 19, 1996 2 7 '
Main Street
North Hampton, MA
Dear Sir,
I am writing at the request of one of my patients, Mr. Richard Booth. Mr. Booth suffers
from quadriplegia(cervical level 8)from a permanent spinal cord injury. Because of this injury he
is dependent upon a motorized wheel chair and requires assistance with his daily activities. He
was previously living independently in accessible housing. However, because of the recent death
of his mother, he has moved back into his family's home to help care for his 76 year old father
who has peripheral vascular disease and his 48 year old blind and mentally impaired brother.
Mr. Booth has asked that I explain the rationale behind some of the modifications that he is
trying to make to his home. Our main concern is that of the safety of Mr. Booth and his family
members on a daily basis and in the event of emergencies (such as fires). As Mr. Booth navigates
in an electric wheel chairs, he requires a ramp of appropriate incline to be able to access the house.
The deck must be able to accommodate the turn radius of the chair. He needs an oversized door
and landing so that he can negotiate the screen door and regular door cleanly. A walkway is
needed so that he can access both the front and back of the house. He will need to modify the
driveway so that it can accommodate an electric wheel chair van with a lift. I understand the a
fence is also being considered so that Mr. Booth's brother, Lester,can get outside more often in a
safer environment with clear boundaries.
Mr. Booth and his family have suffered through many hardships. Mr. Booth is dedicated
to helping his aging father and his blind and mentally impaired brother remain together at home in a
safe environment. I fully support his efforts and am available to answer questions regarding Mr.
.00fl s meuiiui con I Lion, or ot'no questions rcgardi g .. -icvriiG iiGuiuCuuOiiS that our uYiia.Cvru
injured patients routinely require.
Sincerely,
Sandra K. Kostyk, M.D., Ph.D.
TI S P*, _0 C;C?
AV S
CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, INC.
TOO Aug. 29 , 1996
Building Inspector,
City of Northampton
212 Main St.
Northampton, Ma. 01060
To Whom It May Concern;
This letter is to support Richard Booth' s request for
a building permit. Mr. Booth needs to add a ramp, with a
landing larger than state and federal codes call for. This
is needed to provide Mr. Booth access to his home. Making
the landing larger than code requires is allowed as the codes
are stating the minimum requirements. The walk ways will
provide Wheelchair access to all areas of the property.
Mr. Booth has also requested a 16 foot wide driveway
in order to accomodate a lift equipped van he will be buying
in the fall. This van requires 8 feet of space for the
vehicle plus 8 feet for the lift to land and Mr. Booth access
it.
If you have any questions or require further information
please call me at 413-774-3001.
Sincerely,
Paul Winske
Peer Counselor
cc: Richard Booth
kmc
691 South East Street 145 State Street 55 Federal Street • Suite 210
Amherst, MA 01002-3045 Room 309 Greenfield, MA 01301-2543
(800) 442-1185 Springfield, MA 01103-1927 (413) 774-3001 V/-1-DI)
(413) 256-0473 V/TDD A (413) 781-5555 V/TDD (413) 772-2556 TDD