Emergency Fund for Rachel & Siggi’s Home and Health Crisis

Dear Friends, we are making a plea for help for Rachel and Siggi, who are both presently without a safe home to live in.

Rachel has been plagued with Lyme disease due to a tick bite, and then an autoimmune condition that made living in Toronto untenable, and they were completely priced out of the GTA.

They purchased what they thought would be their "dream home", near Lake Huron, that included a work space for Siggi, a cottage for guests, and a beautiful neighbourhood with the lake nearby.

Soon they realised that their new home was toxic, as it was discovered that the former owners didn't disclose that they had a mould and rodent problem, both of which the Home Inspector completely missed.

Siggi and Rachel had to move out of their house into the cottage for 7 months, as they had mould remediation done in the house, together with removal of the dead rodents, and getting work done in the crawlspace and attic to rectify what enabled the mould to spread. They also had to throw out half of their belongings and furniture.

Unfortunately their attempts to move back in were thwarted by more mould being discovered and spreading, this time throughout the cottage, workshop, and in the already treated main house as the mold remediation company didn't do an effective job. Rachel's illness and treatment requires that she be treated with immunotherapy injections that must be administered without triggers, which unfortunately, includes mould. Rachel has had to postpone her life-saving injection because of this situation. This creates pain and a decline in her overall health and well-being.

They are now essentially homeless as they cannot live in their house or the cottage, and they are relying on the kindness of neighbours while they struggle to save their house and get it to a healthy enough state to move back in.

They now have to throw out most of their belongings and all of their furniture, and are currently salvaging necessary clothing, boots, and winter coats as they rip out and replace walls, insulation, and flooring.

Moving away is not an option due to the fact that Siggi needs to be near his workshop as he is a wood-carver; and selling the house and property to move to another house is impossible in its current state.

Please find it in your hearts to help in anyway to contribute to their rental and restoration costs. Any little can help as they have spent all of their funds, they have nothing left, and are at their wits and financial ends.

Unfortunately thus far they have had no recourse: the home inspector has a watertight legal disclaimer; insurance companies have quietly altered their coverage regarding mould and would only cover remediation and housing if the mould was due to a roof leak; and they'd have to have funds to sue the former owners for non-disclosure. Every single penny is being spent on mould fighting materials, equipment and professionals for mold remediation, and the construction work on the house to bring it to health.

Funds will be used for:

Replacing drywall, insulation, floors, windows, and shelving.

Replacing furniture such as a desk, a couple of tables and chairs, a chest of drawers, and their bed.

Replacing bedding and curtains.

Getting a dehumidifier and air-exchange equipment for the crawlspace.

Temporary lodgings - in the area rentals are $1000/week even for humble dwellings.

Thanks again for your kindness and we will update you all on their progress. Blessings and goodness to everyone!