The 12-months following the Danforth Shooting on July 22nd, 2018 was the most challenging year of my life: 4 surgeries, an 11-day ICU stay, and months of rehab and pain management. Thankfully your support has really helped myself and Jerry begin to rebuild our lives as we face this next chapter together. We want to thank everyone who donated, shared our story and sent well wishes over the last year. Your generosity has allowed us to move closer to my nursing school so I can get back to the books and finish my dream of becoming a nurse, so I can show the same caring and compassion everyone has shown us.

 The new challenge we face is the lack of accessibility in our new home. This world isn't built for someone in a wheelchair and even though there have been many advances in reducing barriers in our community, we still are faced with the need to build an accessible washroom, kitchen, and wheelchair ramp. Together with our generous contractor, Frank McGillan, we are working at both ends to make this renovation possible. While we have organized this GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of making our home accessible, Frank has convinced other business owners to donate some building materials.  

Please share, donate, or if you know of any businesses who would love to donate building materials that would greatly help the renovations.    

This last year has made us realize the true cost of living in Canada with a disability. There is virtually no low-cost housing option for the disabled – rental units are not built for the handicapped, nor is it possible to renovate a rental. This coupled with soaring housing costs in the GTA, has made it difficult for us to find appropriate accommodations. Having a fully accessible home would provide me with the greatest level of independence and give me the best chance to finish my dream of becoming a nurse. I know once we return to some normalcy in our lives we want to work with our new community and provide the same kindness and generosity you have shown us especially towards other people living with disabilities.