Colinda is one of my daughters, and Jesse is one of my grandsons. His condition is heartbreaking, but the idea that anyone could let them down like this is just TOO much. This article was printed in their local paper. Please pray for our family.
By Hugh Adami, Ottawa CitizenNovember 26, 2011
Thirteen-year-old Jesse White needs Larry Manuel to complete that wheelchair ramp outside his Kemptville home RIGHT NOW.
Jesse, who suffers from Friedreich's ataxia, a rare form of muscular dystrophy, couldn't go to school on Wednesday because the ramp was rendered impassable by the overnight snowfall that swept through Eastern Ontario.
It would have been clear of snow had Manuel, a Rockland contractor, installed enclosures on the ramp - a roof and Plexiglas siding - as he was supposed to weeks ago.
However, Manuel, who has received about 80 per cent of the money for the $30,000-plus project from the Ontario government and President's Choice Children's Charity, says it might be some time before the enclosure is completed. He says his power tools were stolen in late September and he doesn't have any money right now to replace them.
Manuel also says the money he was advanced has been spent on what he has built and renovated at the house so far. He says his share for the work amounted to only $2,500, money that went for a new used truck that he needed badly for his job.
He says he was also hampered by higher costs for some building materials and the $50 it cost him daily in gas to drive back and forth between his Rockland home and Kemptville.
Manuel says he had hoped to make another $2,000 to pay for his son's tuition, but he says that won't happen as what's left of the money will have to go toward the enclosure and to pay for a $2,500 asphalt driveway that is already in place.
There's $6,440 left for remaining work, according to President's Choice.
Jesse's mother, Colinda Maxwell, says she phoned, text messaged and emailed Manuel for several weeks to find out when he planned to complete the work. She says she even tried reaching him on Facebook. She says Manuel never responded.
But he told The Public Citizen this past week that he had every intention of finishing the job. He says what would get the ball rolling again is if President's Choice advanced him the remaining $6,440 so he could buy some tools and building materials, but President's Choice says that money will not be released until the job is completed.
Though Colinda says Manuel was last seen at the house in early October, he says he has gone back frequently during the day when no one is home. He says he was last there two weeks ago to do whatever he could do with his hand tools.
The unfinished project also inconvenienced Jesse's big sister, Taylor, and younger brother, Tyson, on Wednesday. They stayed home from school because Jesse couldn't be left alone and their mother had to work.
With Manuel not expecting to finish the enclosure anytime soon, the family will likely be facing the same dilemma in the coming weeks, if not months.
Manuel says he would be back on that job today if he could. "I'm not trying to screw anybody over. I really love those kids."
Jesse started using a motorized wheelchair in September 2010, but he was still able to use the garage stairs of their ranch-style house when his school bus arrived or dropped him off in the driveway. His condition got progressively worse, though, and he could no longer climb or go down the stairs without a struggle and fear of falling. A couple of falls resulted in concussions.
An occupational therapist recommended a ramp be built when Jesse started using the wheelchair, but his mom had to find the funding first. Colinda applied to various charities and was required to provide price quotes for the job. She was unable to secure funding on her first attempt, but managed to do so after presenting a second set of price quotes. The March of Dimes, which administers provincial government funding for home and vehicle modifications, made funds available for at least a third of the project, while President's Choice earmarked almost $20,000. Besides the outside work, modifications were required to the main floor of the house, where Jesse's bedroom is situated.
Manuel, highly recommended to Colinda by a co-worker, designed the project. The 17-metre enclosed ramp from the driveway to the back of the house was the key component.
Manuel began the work in late August, Colinda says. He completed the first phase - paid for through the provincial program - in late September. "He had done a wonderful job and was very reliable," says Colinda, adding he was nice to the children and she would offer him supper whenever he worked late.
The second phase, covered by the President's Choice charity, includes the ramp enclosure, final touches to the deck at the back of the house, and modifications inside the home.
As far as March of Dimes is concerned, the work paid for with provincial government funding was completed, so it has no issue with Manuel. March of Dimes says Manuel was sent his final payment from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services in early October.
President's Choice spokeswoman Anna Domagala says it won't get involved in the matter as the contract was between Colinda and Manuel.
Colinda says she warned Manuel in one of her messages that she would call the Citizen if he didn't return to finish the work. Says Colinda: "I need to light a little fire under his butt.
Colinda was still hopeful that the ramp could be enclosed by the time they return from a weeklong Disney cruise. The free holiday is being provided by Make-A-Wish Foundation because of Jesse's serious medical condition.
Unfortunately for Jesse and the rest of his family, that ramp will likely still be uncovered when they get back.
Is something bothering you? Please contact thepubliccitizen@ottawacitizen.com.
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
1|1|that just breaks my heart in to pieces i had a cousin that lived in a wheel chair who will soon be gone 11 years and man i miss him soo |lydzkydz|lydzmcss@yahoo.com|16:43:24|11/26/2011|
hopefully the guy will get to work or someone should take some action against him for sure
sorry to hear about this
will be praying for your family
please include your user name on refundsweepers.
i appreciate all the trades made in the past.
THANKS!! 2|1|Contact Mike Holms he is up there in Canada and does those home shows on tv|teener|teenerzacsneenee@yahoo.com|16:44:27|11/26/2011|
>Posted on Nov-26-11 at 04:32 PM (Eastern)
>by 184.88.105.44Colinda is one of my
>daughters, and Jesse is one of
>my grandsons. His condition is heartbreaking,
>but the idea that anyone could
>let them down like this is
>just TOO much. This article was
>printed in their local paper. Please
>pray for our family.
>By Hugh Adami, Ottawa CitizenNovember 26, 2011
>
>Thirteen-year-old Jesse White needs Larry Manuel to
>complete that wheelchair ramp outside his
>Kemptville home RIGHT NOW. Jesse, who
>suffers from Friedreich's ataxia, a rare
>form of muscular dystrophy, couldn't go
>to school on Wednesday because the
>ramp was rendered impassable by the
>overnight snowfall that swept through Eastern
>Ontario. It would have been clear
>of snow had Manuel, a Rockland
>contractor, installed enclosures on the ramp
>- a roof and Plexiglas siding
>- as he was supposed to
>weeks ago. However, Manuel, who has
>received about 80 per cent of
>the money for the $30,000-plus project
>from the Ontario government and President's
>Choice Children's Charity, says it might
>be some time before the enclosure
>is completed. He says his power
>tools were stolen in late September
>and he doesn't have any money
>right now to replace them. Manuel
>also says the money he was
>advanced has been spent on what
>he has built and renovated at
>the house so far. He says
>his share for the work amounted
>to only $2,500, money that went
>for a new used truck that
>he needed badly for his job.
>He says he was also hampered
>by higher costs for some building
>materials and the $50 it cost
>him daily in gas to drive
>back and forth between his Rockland
>home and Kemptville. Manuel says he
>had hoped to make another $2,000
>to pay for his son's tuition,
>but he says that won't happen
>as what's left of the money
>will have to go toward the
>enclosure and to pay for a
>$2,500 asphalt driveway that is already
>in place. There's $6,440 left for
>remaining work, according to President's Choice.
>Jesse's mother, Colinda Maxwell, says she
>phoned, text messaged and emailed Manuel
>for several weeks to find out
>when he planned to complete the
>work. She says she even tried
>reaching him on Facebook. She says
>Manuel never responded. But he told
>The Public Citizen this past week
>that he had every intention of
>finishing the job. He says what
>would get the ball rolling again
>is if President's Choice advanced him
>the remaining $6,440 so he could
>buy some tools and building materials,
>but President's Choice says that money
>will not be released until the
>job is completed. Though Colinda says
>Manuel was last seen at the
>house in early October, he says
>he has gone back frequently during
>the day when no one is
>home. He says he was last
>there two weeks ago to do
>whatever he could do with his
>hand tools. The unfinished project also
>inconvenienced Jesse's big sister, Taylor, and
>younger brother, Tyson, on Wednesday. They
>stayed home from school because Jesse
>couldn't be left alone and their
>mother had to work. With Manuel
>not expecting to finish the enclosure
>anytime soon, the family will likely
>be facing the same dilemma in
>the coming weeks, if not months.
>Manuel says he would be back
>on that job today if he
>could. "I'm not trying to screw
>anybody over. I really love those
>kids." Jesse started using a motorized
>wheelchair in September 2010, but he
>was still able to use the
>garage stairs of their ranch-style house
>when his school bus arrived or
>dropped him off in the driveway.
>His condition got progressively worse, though,
>and he could no longer climb
>or go down the stairs without
>a struggle and fear of falling.
>A couple of falls resulted in
>concussions. An occupational therapist recommended a
>ramp be built when Jesse started
>using the wheelchair, but his mom
>had to find the funding first.
>Colinda applied to various charities and
>was required to provide price quotes
>for the job. She was unable
>to secure funding on her first
>attempt, but managed to do so
>after presenting a second set of
>price quotes. The March of Dimes,
>which administers provincial government funding for
>home and vehicle modifications, made funds
>available for at least a third
>of the project, while President's Choice
>earmarked almost $20,000. Besides the outside
>work, modifications were required to the
>main floor of the house, where
>Jesse's bedroom is situated. Manuel, highly
>recommended to Colinda by a co-worker,
>designed the project. The 17-metre enclosed
>ramp from the driveway to the
>back of the house was the
>key component. Manuel began the work
>in late August, Colinda says. He
>completed the first phase - paid
>for through the provincial program -
>in late September. "He had done
>a wonderful job and was very
>reliable," says Colinda, adding he was
>nice to the children and she
>would offer him supper whenever he
>worked late. The second phase, covered
>by the President's Choice charity, includes
>the ramp enclosure, final touches to
>the deck at the back of
>the house, and modifications inside the
>home. As far as March of
>Dimes is concerned, the work paid
>for with provincial government funding was
>completed, so it has no issue
>with Manuel. March of Dimes says
>Manuel was sent his final payment
>from the Ontario Ministry of Community
>and Social Services in early October.
>President's Choice spokeswoman Anna Domagala says
>it won't get involved in the
>matter as the contract was between
>Colinda and Manuel. Colinda says she
>warned Manuel in one of her
>messages that she would call the
>Citizen if he didn't return to
>finish the work. Says Colinda: "I
>need to light a little fire
>under his butt. Colinda was still
>hopeful that the ramp could be
>enclosed by the time they return
>from a weeklong Disney cruise. The
>free holiday is being provided by
>Make-A-Wish Foundation because of Jesse's serious
>medical condition. Unfortunately for Jesse and
>the rest of his family, that
>ramp will likely still be uncovered
>when they get back. Is something
>bothering you? Please contact thepubliccitizen@ottawacitizen.com. ©
>Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
3|2|Thanks Teener, that's an idea that I will pass on to my daughter for sure!|missy|lovetotrade@hotmail.com|16:47:14|11/26/2011|
:) 4|3|That's a great idea....we watch Holmes on Homes all the time...he's AWESOME|kellysp6637|frugalk76@aol.com|16:53:35|11/26/2011|
and this sounds like something he'd totally take on!!!!
Best of luck! 5|4|that really is a great idea!! I sure hope he helps!!|shellysmsmo|jpksms@sbcglobal.net|16:58:14|11/26/2011|
keep us posted and let us know.
I will say a prayer that this gets done and will help out so so much!
6|5|Anyone know how to reach him? It's URGENT and I don't know if he would be able to help on such short notice.|missy|lovetotrade@hotmail.com|17:54:43|11/26/2011|
TIA 8|6|I wish I still had all my contacts when I worked in radio and with television people, I did look up a contact form on his foundation site, maybe that will help, I didn't see a phone number though~*~|RebekkaVA|queen_vulture@msn.com|18:01:53|11/26/2011|
http://makeitright.ca/Information/contact_us.php
~*~REBEKKA~*~
a.k.a. "Queen Vulture"
Married to my Soul Mate William
"My husband has cancer, Please pray for him"
Mommy to:
Timothy 5/80
Matthew 10/92
Cheyenne 9/99
Grandmother to Alayna 3/10
*EMAIL*: queen_vulture@msn.com
Feedback link: http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/796.html
7|1|How sad, I'll be praying that someone can get this done soon, your grandson shouldn't have to go through all of this (((HUGS)))~*~|RebekkaVA|queen_vulture@msn.com|18:00:56|11/26/2011|
~*~REBEKKA~*~
a.k.a. "Queen Vulture"
Married to my Soul Mate William
"My husband has cancer, Please pray for him"
Mommy to:
Timothy 5/80
Matthew 10/92
Cheyenne 9/99
Grandmother to Alayna 3/10
*EMAIL*: queen_vulture@msn.com
Feedback link: http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/796.html
9|1|Sending up prayers the job gets finished asap....|maraj|maraj64@hotmail.com|18:56:03|11/26/2011|
Doesn't sound like the guy had his tools insured. :( If he did & reported they were stolen, insurance should've covered the cost to replace them.
Smile... it makes people wonder what you're up to!
Please identify yourself in 1st email w/name/username. Due to recent problem trades, if I haven't traded w/you before, I will probably require you send your end 1st or I'll need LEGIT trade references/feedback. I will be happy to provide the same. IF you plan to hold your end til you've received mine, I will need to know that IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE trade is finalized.
10|2|Kathryn.....see inside|BusterBrown|srfreezerqueen@hotmail.com|19:30:29|11/26/2011|
according to facebook....website for holmes on holmes is
hth....Love his shows.....hopefully he can help in some way... 11|3|Thanks and I have sent a message to the "contact" email.|missy|lovetotrade@hotmail.com|09:09:37|11/27/2011|
I REALLY hope and pray that someone can help. 12|1|New write-up with photo ~ More Prayers please|missy|lovetotrade@hotmail.com|15:43:05|11/30/2011|
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Family+hoping+contractor+will+finish+ramp+fysys/5763636/story.html
I have tried every suggestion, and, as you can see, it's been in the newspaper repeatedly. NO RESPONSE and no help:(
All we can seem to do is put it in God's hands and pray.
TIA
Kathryn
13|1|Watch an episode of one of Mike Holmes shows write down his production companies name find an addy and send the articles to them try every avanue|teener|teenerzacsneenee@yahoo.com|16:18:49|11/30/2011|
>Posted on Nov-26-11 at 04:32 PM (Eastern)
>by 184.88.105.44Colinda is one of my
>daughters, and Jesse is one of
>my grandsons. His condition is heartbreaking,
>but the idea that anyone could
>let them down like this is
>just TOO much. This article was
>printed in their local paper. Please
>pray for our family.
>By Hugh Adami, Ottawa CitizenNovember 26, 2011
>
>Thirteen-year-old Jesse White needs Larry Manuel to
>complete that wheelchair ramp outside his
>Kemptville home RIGHT NOW. Jesse, who
>suffers from Friedreich's ataxia, a rare
>form of muscular dystrophy, couldn't go
>to school on Wednesday because the
>ramp was rendered impassable by the
>overnight snowfall that swept through Eastern
>Ontario. It would have been clear
>of snow had Manuel, a Rockland
>contractor, installed enclosures on the ramp
>- a roof and Plexiglas siding
>- as he was supposed to
>weeks ago. However, Manuel, who has
>received about 80 per cent of
>the money for the $30,000-plus project
>from the Ontario government and President's
>Choice Children's Charity, says it might
>be some time before the enclosure
>is completed. He says his power
>tools were stolen in late September
>and he doesn't have any money
>right now to replace them. Manuel
>also says the money he was
>advanced has been spent on what
>he has built and renovated at
>the house so far. He says
>his share for the work amounted
>to only $2,500, money that went
>for a new used truck that
>he needed badly for his job.
>He says he was also hampered
>by higher costs for some building
>materials and the $50 it cost
>him daily in gas to drive
>back and forth between his Rockland
>home and Kemptville. Manuel says he
>had hoped to make another $2,000
>to pay for his son's tuition,
>but he says that won't happen
>as what's left of the money
>will have to go toward the
>enclosure and to pay for a
>$2,500 asphalt driveway that is already
>in place. There's $6,440 left for
>remaining work, according to President's Choice.
>Jesse's mother, Colinda Maxwell, says she
>phoned, text messaged and emailed Manuel
>for several weeks to find out
>when he planned to complete the
>work. She says she even tried
>reaching him on Facebook. She says
>Manuel never responded. But he told
>The Public Citizen this past week
>that he had every intention of
>finishing the job. He says what
>would get the ball rolling again
>is if President's Choice advanced him
>the remaining $6,440 so he could
>buy some tools and building materials,
>but President's Choice says that money
>will not be released until the
>job is completed. Though Colinda says
>Manuel was last seen at the
>house in early October, he says
>he has gone back frequently during
>the day when no one is
>home. He says he was last
>there two weeks ago to do
>whatever he could do with his
>hand tools. The unfinished project also
>inconvenienced Jesse's big sister, Taylor, and
>younger brother, Tyson, on Wednesday. They
>stayed home from school because Jesse
>couldn't be left alone and their
>mother had to work. With Manuel
>not expecting to finish the enclosure
>anytime soon, the family will likely
>be facing the same dilemma in
>the coming weeks, if not months.
>Manuel says he would be back
>on that job today if he
>could. "I'm not trying to screw
>anybody over. I really love those
>kids." Jesse started using a motorized
>wheelchair in September 2010, but he
>was still able to use the
>garage stairs of their ranch-style house
>when his school bus arrived or
>dropped him off in the driveway.
>His condition got progressively worse, though,
>and he could no longer climb
>or go down the stairs without
>a struggle and fear of falling.
>A couple of falls resulted in
>concussions. An occupational therapist recommended a
>ramp be built when Jesse started
>using the wheelchair, but his mom
>had to find the funding first.
>Colinda applied to various charities and
>was required to provide price quotes
>for the job. She was unable
>to secure funding on her first
>attempt, but managed to do so
>after presenting a second set of
>price quotes. The March of Dimes,
>which administers provincial government funding for
>home and vehicle modifications, made funds
>available for at least a third
>of the project, while President's Choice
>earmarked almost $20,000. Besides the outside
>work, modifications were required to the
>main floor of the house, where
>Jesse's bedroom is situated. Manuel, highly
>recommended to Colinda by a co-worker,
>designed the project. The 17-metre enclosed
>ramp from the driveway to the
>back of the house was the
>key component. Manuel began the work
>in late August, Colinda says. He
>completed the first phase - paid
>for through the provincial program -
>in late September. "He had done
>a wonderful job and was very
>reliable," says Colinda, adding he was
>nice to the children and she
>would offer him supper whenever he
>worked late. The second phase, covered
>by the President's Choice charity, includes
>the ramp enclosure, final touches to
>the deck at the back of
>the house, and modifications inside the
>home. As far as March of
>Dimes is concerned, the work paid
>for with provincial government funding was
>completed, so it has no issue
>with Manuel. March of Dimes says
>Manuel was sent his final payment
>from the Ontario Ministry of Community
>and Social Services in early October.
>President's Choice spokeswoman Anna Domagala says
>it won't get involved in the
>matter as the contract was between
>Colinda and Manuel. Colinda says she
>warned Manuel in one of her
>messages that she would call the
>Citizen if he didn't return to
>finish the work. Says Colinda: "I
>need to light a little fire
>under his butt. Colinda was still
>hopeful that the ramp could be
>enclosed by the time they return
>from a weeklong Disney cruise. The
>free holiday is being provided by
>Make-A-Wish Foundation because of Jesse's serious
>medical condition. Unfortunately for Jesse and
>the rest of his family, that
>ramp will likely still be uncovered
>when they get back. Is something
>bothering you? Please contact thepubliccitizen@ottawacitizen.com. ©
>Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
14|1|I would also call your local DA and state atty genl|glennie58|glenn_scott@alumni.ksg.harvard.edu|17:12:13|11/30/2011|
I think they might help you with this. 15|2|Or the Canadian Equivalents, lol|glennie58|glenn_scott@alumni.ksg.harvard.edu|17:15:05|11/30/2011|
I never thought this kind of thing happened in maple leaf territory lol
16|3|yeah, it is SO frustrating and there's no help in sight!|missy|lovetotrade@hotmail.com|10:33:25|12/01/2011|
I used to watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition, and marvelled at all the people who come out to help. I guess we need something like that in Canada too!