LDAP and spaces in usernames.. Again

I am sorry if this is another repeat. I have read several of the threads involving spaces in various parts of the ldap strings.

My issue is that I have inherited a user base where, for some unknown reason, the previous convention was for domain login names to be first initial, space, surname.

All of the users have imported fine into openfire but none of them can log in.

Is there any way to remedy this without completely changing the policy, all of the login names and all other related but non-dynamic login names for other software that we currently use?