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Mortensen House

The Program

The Mortensen House is a fully wheelchair accessible, transitional house in Beaverton, OR for people recovering from spinal cord injury.

Many people are denied access to inpatient acute rehab because they do not have an accessible residence to be discharged to. Inpatient acute rehab is the natural stage of recovery post-injury in which intensive physical and occupational therapy supports a person’s rehabilitation and ability to become independent. Without acute rehab, a person may be discharged from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility or an adult foster home. Individuals who do not participate in acute rehab after a spinal cord injury have worse outcomes than those who do.

Mortensen House provides a crucial bridge between rehabilitation and home, a place where recovery meets independence.

Who is eligible?

Criteria to apply:

  • You must have a spinal cord injury (SCI/D).
  • You must have a plan to move to accessible residence after a stay at the Mortensen House. 
  • You must have a care support plan and personnel during stay.
  • The intended length of stay is between 1 week to 3 months.
  • There is a $250/week program fee to participate. Inability to pay the program fee will never be the only reason someone is not accepted into the program.

Submitting an Interest Form is the first step in the application process. If you are determined to be a good fit for the Mortensen House, you will receive an invitation to complete the full application form.

How do you apply?

1. Complete an Interest Form. This form will collect basic information so we can determine your eligibility. If we determine you are a good fit you will be invited to submit a full application.

2. If you receive an Invitation to Apply from OSCI, the application should be completed by the prospective guest or collaboratively with the prospective guest to ensure all answers are thorough and correct. 

3. OSCI may request to meet with you to discuss your situation and future plans. We may request documentation to verify statements made in the application.

Complete the Interest Form
Donate to the Mortensen House Project
Ask a Question

The House

The Mortensen House is the result of the generosity of Michael Mortensen, whose own experience with a spinal cord injury inspired him to help others on the same journey. After his spinal cord injury, Michael had this house remodeled to fit his needs as a wheelchair user. Modifications include:

  • A whole-house generator to ensure uninterrupted power in the event of an outage.
  • A large main suite bathroom that includes a roll-in closet, an accessible bathroom with a roll-in shower, height adjustable queen-size bed, separate caregiver space, and several mattress options including an alternating air mattress.
  • A kitchen with lowered counters, a roll-under sink with a motion sensor faucet, large drawers for dishware and cookware, and built-in, pull-out butcher block cutting board.
  • Roll-in laundry area with accessible height washing machine and dryer, roll-under counter space, utility sink, and rolling carts to use for laundry transportation.
  • Large deck and backyard with accessible ramp from the back to the front of the house.
  • Dedicated therapy space with large mat table and other exercise equipment.

In addition to the main bedroom suite, there are two other bedrooms. They are not currently available for use, but will be in the near future. There is also a hall bath for guest use. Additional house features include:

  • Monitored alarm system with panic alarms 
  • Camera system that covers the outside of the house and common areas
  • 1GB Wifi coverage
  • Instant hot water at the kitchen sink
  • Monthly yard maintenance service
Future therapy space pictured. There is only a standing frame and other small equipment in the large room.

Future Dedicated Therapy Space

Bedroom pictured from rear corner. The bed is in the foreground followed by a recliner and a mat table in the back. There is a wardrobe and a tall safe against the back wall.

Large Bedroom with Ensuite Bathroom

Backyard pictured from the rear corner of the deck. In the picture is the deck covered by fallen leaves from a large central tree. There is a standby generator pictured in the foreground followed by an area of grass and then the fence line.

Backyard with Standby Generator

Kitchen pictured with roll-under peninsula counter and an overhead exhaust. The refrigerator and a set of double doors are in the background.

Kitchen Area

Living Room

Living & Dining Area

A tiled roll-in shower with grab bars, a shower chair and an adjustable height showerhead. A floor drain is in the center of the shower floor.

Roll-in Shower

Contact us

Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection

6645 NE 78th Ct C6
Portland, OR 97217

Email: contact@oregonsci.org