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
66 Responses
by mark stewart in Brampton 11 months ago
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I ONLY HOPE I CAN DO SOMEONE ELSE WHAT YOU HAVE ALL DONE FOR ME. I WENT FROM THE DARKEST PLACE TO WHERE I CAN SEE THE SUNLIGHT IN FRONT OF ME AGAIN.
by mark stewart in Brampton 10 months ago
Hi All:
We had a great bbq at the Stewart with all the great support from our homestars family. CTV is airing at 6pm tonight. Be sure to watch!!! Mark & Arlette Stewart
by st123 10 months ago
I will be sending you $100.00 dollars towards your project.
If I can collect more then I will send you more.
I hope the GTA comes together to make tis dream a reality.
I am a painter on Home Stars , DIRECT PAINTING and saw your cause and I would be happy to help you
Hang in !
It will work out.
Thanks
Sebastian Terzo
Direct Painting
Sterzo1@rogers.com
by mark stewart in Brampton 10 months ago
LOOK AT THIS FOR SUPPORT. GREAT TIMES WITH GREAT NEW FRIENDS/FAMILY.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.879833
by George Li 10 months ago
This afternoon, a few of us drop by at Mark’s home to introduce ourselves and present him with the check. Got a bit of excitement with the crews from CTV (Pat and Ashley). for those who missed the 6 PM news…watch the 11 oclock or here is the clipping:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=721187
We raised $3270.00
by Affordable Insulation & Renovation, Inc. 10 months ago
Hi Mark,
I don’t know if I have ever had the pleasure to meet someone as caring and giving as you. You are an inspiration to us all and I am so glad that we could help. I will be sure to pick up a copy of your book when it comes out in August. In addition to our donation today we will be following up with our suppliers to see if we can get them to provide materials to assist in the completion of your new addition. I will keep in touch and let you know how we make out
All the best!
Jason & Syd Girard
Affordable Insulation & Renovation, Inc.
by Brian from Ossington Village 10 months ago
Mark,
I can’t tell you how inspiring it was for me to be there today and see the work that everyone was doing. We are so impressed and inspired by it all. The community on our site impresses us every day with their commitment to both their customers and to helping those around them.
Thanks Cy, Jason, Paul, Alex, George, Raffy, and everyone else who has put into helping out.
Brian
by Mapleleaf Electric Inc - 647-344-3320 10 months ago
We agree with Mark! What an amazing event yesterday, nice to see us get together to give back!! It was an absolute pleasure to meet Mark and Arlette and help out with the fundraiser. Amazing that everyone came out to support and able to raise those funds.
Thank you Homestars for this opportunity!!
by mark stewart in Brampton 10 months ago
My family just grew by approx 30 people. I have cried endlessley thinking of the generosity of the great people from Homestars and I must say a Giant thank you to Jessica Sugar as it was her that helped me find this great family.
God bless all and I can’t wait to get started so we can see you all again. Family BBQ anyone? I’m up for it.
P.s Thank you all for the kind words It goes back to all of you as well.
God bless
Mark & family
by All Women Contractors+1 in Brampton 10 months ago
My name is Betty Lau owner of “All Women Contractors+1” and Larry Tosswill the site supervisor. We are the Project Manager/General Contractors for this awesome family. I’d like to thank you all to the companies from Homestars who have shown up at Mark and Arlette’s home yesterday. With our all of our donations put together and presented to the Stewarts on CTV it will help the word out. Special thanks to Cy Goh from Spring Home Heating and Cooling for getting CTV to come yesterday.
We have been working hard to gather the information and materials together as you all will be receiving more calls from us to verify all of the volunteers and once who are donating materials in the very near future…. once we have gotten the architect drawings back and permits approved everyone will be notified. Anymore interested volunteers/donations/materials. Please contact us directly to eliminate confusion @ 416.931.2927 or 416.628.8445 Less stress and emotional roller coasters for the Stewarts. Thanks again! Keep it coming!
Betty Lau
All Women Contractors+1
www.allwomencontractors.com
416.931.2927