by MARK STEWART in Brampton about 1 year 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
66 Responses
by mark stewart in Brampton 11 months ago
Hi Terry
Thank you for the kind words and yes we have a great bunch of people helping to make this dream a reality.
I’m blessed to have this great support system and every person will be a apart of my room forever as they will all sign a wall that will be framed for all to see whenever they come in my room. a tribute to them all.
by Terry Mardini 11 months ago
All the best to you, your family and your great support system, Mark. God bless.
by Paul Hannah, The Duct Cleaning Specialists 11 months ago
Hey Mark, how you doing?
I’ve spoken to Cy and Jason, still waiting to here from Alex about Sunday, but Were all good to go. Is 2pm still good for you? Talk soon! If anyone else plans on coming out as well, please post a reply!! Also, I have room for 4 in my vehicle, so if anyone wants to meet up, my office is in Woodbridge (400 & Steeles) then we can carpool over, otherwise we will all meet at Mark’s place in Brampton!!
Look forward for the update…
Paul
by Mapleleaf Electric Inc - 647-344-3320 11 months ago
Hi guys!
Yes I will be there this Sunday !!
Looking forward to it!!
Thank you
Alex
(647)344-3320
mapleleafelectricinc.ca
by George Li 11 months ago
Hi guys, I manage to get CTV to come to Mark’s home tommorow night for initial interview, then on Sunday at 2, they will send another crew. Mark…hope this is ok with you and I hope you will have more support from others in GTA.
by mark stewart in Brampton 11 months ago
They called me today. I cried thinking of the support I have recieved from all of you. They will be here on Sunday at 2pm, so wear your Sunday best and promote your companies. God knows I want to. And bring Kleenex as I think it will be emotional.
by Brian from Ossington Village 11 months ago
Mark,
As we are the platform that enabled all of this to happen, it’s our responsibility to throw something in too. So we’re adding to the pool and I’ll be out to join you on Sunday at 2pm. Very excited, and incredibly impressed at everyone who contributed time and effort to this. All I can say is wow!
Brian
by info@eliteconcrete.ca 11 months ago
Hi Mark,
We received 11 reviews in June and are pleased to inform you that we will be donating $30 per review towards your project for a total of $330.00 . We are so proud of the Homestars community for coming together like this.
Marcelo and Raffy