LOOKING FOR SOME HELP

by MARK STEWART in Brampton 12 months ago

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME GREAT COMPANIES TO DONATE A LITTLE BIT.
I’m writing to obtain your help.
I have Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Due to my seemingly constant decline, it has been confirmed through CCAC Case Workers, Occupational therapists, Social Workers, etc. that an accessible washroom needs to be built in my home for safety reasons, not only for myself and my family members, but also for the nurses who care for me. I am currently 99% confined to my wheelchair and am having great difficulty getting help from outside sources, including March of dimes and CMHC (Canada Mortgage Housing Commission).
I have tried to obtain funds to build a small extension on my home to have a roll in roll out accessible washroom. The only problem being that putting me in the basement will be a fire hazard since there is not a quick access to get outside. I have been a very active member of society in giving back in every way possible for many years. I filled out the application for the CMHC and was declined as we made approx $5000 too much. They go by gross income and not take into consideration the money we have to spend for my needs (which can be very costly), let alone those of my wife and children.
I reside in an 1100 square foot home along with my wife and 3 boys. It is a constant struggle to get by, especially since my wife is the only one able to work. I can’t even get into our vehicle and so I rely on taking Transhelp to get to doctor appts., etc. which is an expense in itself.
My only washroom is approx 4 × 6 and I can’t even get my wheelchair into it properly (our door frame is already greatly damaged because of this) so we are left with trying to lift me and this is very dangerous and an added risk of dropping me or hurting my wife and/or nursing help. We have had to call 911 numerous times this year to get help lifting me from the floor.
We can easily build a small extension on the back of my home which can have a bedroom and roll in roll out washroom all on the main level, giving me access to my house and family and avoiding the potential hazards if I was secluded to the basement such as fire, no one seeing me regularly, lack of light and air quality. We have actually been given a quote by a contractor at a cost of approx. $28,000.00 to get this done. The contractor also feels that it would be far better to have an extension done rather than having me downstairs where it could become a safety risk.
I feel trapped in my home and cannot understand why my Community, City or even Country will not help. Do they think it will be cheaper to put me in a long term care facility? I can guarantee it will not be. Even the contractor expressed that as a tax payer he would prefer to see me at home with my family where it will be much cheaper than having me in a long term care facility costing thousands more yearly to have me looked after.
I could be kept at home raising my children along with my wife and being an avid member of society. But we keep getting turned down for funding because we are apparently earning just above average with our combined incomes, mine being the disability pension that I receive. Because of this, it seems as though I don’t deserve the right to be kept safe in my home or with my wife and children.
I find this an outrage and will go to the highest levels needed to obtain the help we deserve as disabled citizens, including television and news media such as yourselves.
Our Mayor in Brampton Susan Fennell has even come on board my fight and has sent letters on my behalf.
I beg for your assistance in any way to help me obtain a comfortable living environment in my own home. We are unable to move to a different location at this time and are left with no choice but to request for help with funding this project.
Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. I may be losing my fight against MS, but do not want to lose the fight to remain in my home with my family where I belong. I already have nursing care in place, but need the proper facilities implemented.
With my best regards

Mark Stewart
1 Hemlark Court, Brampton
(905) 799-6248

by John 12 months ago

Hi Mark,

please get your general contractor to call me as I am willing to donate a few guys for a few days to help with the construction of your addition,
will help myself and some of my guys to come and help you!
I will supply labor for anything so could bring price down!!

best of Luck!!

John
JCONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATIONS INC.

by Paul Hannah, The Duct Cleaning Specialists 12 months ago

Sorry i’m a day late but I’d like to give you an update on our efforts… As of today we have done 45 jobs in June and received 5 reviews this month. So far, we are pleased to announce that we have raised $475 for you and your family. I really am glad to see a few other companies who will be raising funds for you as well…We hope more companies will step up and help out too.. All the best and have yourself a fantastic weekend!!!

Paul Hannah
The Duct Cleaning Specialists
647-234-3828
www.ductcleaningspecialists.ca

by jodi from douro 11 months ago

Great update Paul.

I am so very proud of how the community is rallying around you Mark.

Best to you and your family. Looking forward to hear how it all comes together.

Jodi

by Jess in Brampton 11 months ago

On behalf of Mark, Arlette and their Boys, I wanted to thank all of you who have agreed to participate in fundraising/assisting in this cause. There is an event to further this cause at Maguires Irish Pub in Brampton this Saturday night. Next week, I should able to provide you with an update. Again, Thank You ALL for your generosity, it is indeed appreciated.

by mark stewart in Brampton 11 months ago

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A HEARTFULL THANK YOU TO ALL THAT ARE HELPING ME AND MY FMILY THROUGH THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME.
YOUR GENEOSITY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTON.

MARK STEWART

by Paul Hannah, The Duct Cleaning Specialists 11 months ago

Hey Jess, This Saturday, (July 16th?) I’ll make sure our team comes out and supports… Let me know if theres is anything you can think of that we can do or help with for the time being..

Mark, it is our pleasure to help out.. really wish you and your family all the best and hopefully everything works out.. There are some amazing people and companies here on homestars so its great to see everyone trying to do what they can…

Paul

by Paul Hannah, The Duct Cleaning Specialists 11 months ago

Update — as of July 21st we have completed 105 invoices. Out of those, 58 have been actual Duct Cleaning jobs so we are delighted to announce that we have set aside $580.00 for you. In addition, we have received 9 reviews on homestars in June so we will be making an additional $45.00 donation. All together as of today we have raised $625.00 for you. We are confident that by months end we will have raised our goal of $1,000.

How is everyone elses donation efforts coming along? Please post your updates for Mark and his family.

On a side note. Mark, it was an absolute pleasure to meet you and help out with the fundraiser for you. Amazing that everyone that came out to support and able to raise those funds. I wish you all the best and hope that this all works out for you very soon and you can enjoy a wonderful life with your family and have less to worry about!!! All the best buddy!! Thank you!!

Paul Hannah
The Duct Cleaning Specialists
647-234-3828
www.ductcleaningspecialists.ca

by Mapleleaf Electric Inc - 647-344-3320 11 months ago

Hi Paul, Mark & Family,
Mapleleaf is proud to announce that as of today (June 22) we have accumulated 24 reviews so far!!! This is a busy time of the year for us plus we are trying to contact as many past customers to help with this by writing reviews for the work we’ve done this past year.
We’ll keep you updated next week!

Paul, congtrats on the amount you’ve raised so far!!

Thank you!
Alex & Team
647-344-3320
www.mapleleafelectricinc.ca

by Larry Tosswill in Brampton 11 months ago

This is Larry Tosswill, site supervisor for all women contractors +1, the general contractor for Mark and Arlette.

Thank you all SO much for your contributions so far! Mark and Arlette are very excited and we will break ground very soon. First things first, we will be setting up for concrete work and framing. We will keep you all posted with updates on the project, but PLEASE feel free to stop by for an on site look!

Along with your generous offerings, we still need more items and REQUEST you take an unreasonable act and sleek to those whiny know that may be willing to help out with donations, materials and services. Labour is a big key item. We are being unreasonable and asking anyone available to up the ante and give just a little more!

Thank you again and please keep donating! It REALLY means a whole new experience of life being created for Mark and his family.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and souls.

Larry Tosswill
Site supervisor – Stewart addition
All Women Contractors +1
416-628-8445
www.allwomencontractors.com
416-931-2927

by Paul Hannah, The Duct Cleaning Specialists 11 months ago

We are proud to announce that we have raised the following funds. We have done a total of 83 actual duct cleaning jobs ($830) and have received 11 ($55) reviews on homestars in June. That is a total of $885.00 –
Our employees Mat & Steve split the difference, so we have been able to reach our goal of $1,000 for you and your family to help with your situation.

I would like all companies that have joined this fundraising effort to post their donations as well. If we could also all meet up on a weekend in the next little while and all together drop off the funds for Mark, that would be great.

I’m sure I speak for everyone, but Mark, it’s been a pleasure to meet you and hear your story and I’m glad we were all about to help out and raise a few bucks for you and as well great that some companies will be donating their time to help as well….

Paul Hannah
The Duct Cleaning Specialists
647-234-3828