We are trying to raise funds for Robert Zabinski, I’m his aunt, Toula Mangano. Bob is 59 years old, with 30+ years of working construction/home remodel under his belt. Unfortunately, several years ago he was diagnosed with COPD, the specialist attributed it to breathing cement dust on the job. He was determined to continue working, there were days and some working conditions which prevented steady work. Many hospital visits later and diagnosed with diabetes on one of those visits. (His living conditions weren’t very good, no kitchen to prepare his meals and the sanitary wasn’t much better), he was contacted by an advocate for Disability (the hospital must have intervened), they encouraged him to let them apply for him, he did, and as of a few months ago he was approved.

Once approved, knowing he was able to improve his living conditions, he took all his money and purchased a small, used 17-ft Winnebago Camper with a kitchen and bathroom. He would be able to park it at a year-round Campground (Florida) with affordable rent and neighbors. Less than 2 weeks later and actually sleeping through the night, it rained, the camper started to leak, with his work experience in repair he didn’t panic. Two days later it rained again and there was a waterfall from the cabinet above his kitchen sink, the light fixtures were full of brown water, the walls were bleeding, and some of the light stopped working. He checked out the roof and it was saturated with water. There are some pictures attached, unfortunately no ‘before’ pictures. This meant mold, and well beyond his ability to repair. He stressed his COPD and his concern for any leaking (meaning mold) when he went in looking for a camper. The sales team assured him the camper was great, no leaking, the air conditioner was good, and the 110-point inspection was done! Feeling deceived, he took the leaking, moldy camper back to the dealership and asked for his money back, they told him to get out (Loudly) and that they didn’t have to disclose any previous issues with the used camper. Since attempting the return, he tried to cover the camper with a tarp when it was raining, since he had no other place to live. He just spent 5 days in the hospital, the first day in the ICU, covering it was not the solution.

He's reached out to organizations, such as Legal Aid St Augustine and Social Security Disability Advocates to help support his case with the dealership. There was no help available, there was no money for a lawyer, He reached to three firms they weren’t going to take a case they wouldn’t benefit from. Emails were sent to Ask Anthony, it’s a segment on the news to help make people aware of bad business and at times encourages the business to ‘do the right thing’. We are hoping to raise enough money for him to purchase another camper, giving him a clean place to live, where he can prepare his own meals, have an outdoor space and some security and independence.