Help Paul Make His Home Accessible Again

A Little About Our Friends, Paul and Marie Halloch  

After retiring from Ontario Power Generation Paul and Marie moved into their home in Seguin Township about 6 years ago.  It was retirement/semi-retirement time.  Life was good.  Paul and Marie are social people and share a love of golf. They joined Seguin Valley Golf Club and soon became well know throughout the golf community.  During the winter months they curled in Parry Sound allowing them the opportunity to have fun while meeting others.  Eager to join in the business community, Marie started the Ice Palace Golf Simulator business on Rankin Lake Road.  They are good people who are happy to assist others.  Sadly, sometimes bad things happen to good people. 

What Happened:

In January of this year, Paul began experiencing extreme back pain, nausea and vomiting.  The pain moved to his chest.  On a Wednesday an initial emergency visit to hospital did little to alleviate his symptoms.  By Friday night he was passing blood clots in his urine.  On Saturday, with symptoms worsening, Marie convinced him to go back to the hospital.  Paul collapsed as Marie was trying to help him up.  An ambulance was called and he was medivacked from West Parry Sound Health Centre to Toronto Western Hospital.  He was paralyzed from the waist down.

When Paul's blood platelet count was brought up to 60 (normal is 150-250) they did risky surgery to relieve the pressure from bleeding on his spinal cord.  Sadly, the damage was already done.  Paul will not regain the use of his legs. 

There is no definitive answer as to what caused this life altering condition.

Paul is now in rehabilitation at Lyndhurst Rehabilitation facility learning to adapt to his new reality.

Why Financial Support:

Paul and Marie are on fixed pensions and so not qualify for much, if any government assistance.  Their home will require extensive renovations to make Paul’s daily life easier and more enjoyable.  Below you will find some general prices for important improvements:

·         Complete bathroom retrofit ($20,000 +) – the bathroom will need to be enlarged to provide the room required to fit a wheelchair and             lift.  They also need to install an accessible shower, sink and toilet.

·         Kitchen ($10,000+) – the kitchen will require a section to install new lower cupboards/drawers and sink at an accessible height.

·         Transportation ($20,000+) – Paul will require a motorized wheelchair and scooter.  A lift will be required to lift Paul in and out of his                 wheelchair.  Various ramps will also need to be built throughout the property.

·         Vehicle Retrofit ($20,000+) – this cost is dependent on being able to retrofit a currently owned vehicle.  If they are unable to do this,                 they may need to look at the cost of a new accessible vehicle.

         These are only some of the costs that Marie and Paul will be faced with.  There will be many hidden expenses that are unforeseen at this time.  As Paul moves back into his home and they gain more knowledge into the world of accessibility, they will require more devices, retrofits and materials.

How You Can Help

With the impact of these huge financial costs, Paul and Marie will be faced with many challenges financially, mentally and emotionally.   We are asking friends, families, co-workers and community members to come together to help Paul and Marie through this challenging time.

Please Help Paul and Marie   

Please contribute what you can, as often as you can on this Go Fund Me page or by dropping a cheque off at the Parry Sound Scotia Bank.  Let’s help try to at least ease their financial burden and make their home more accessible for Paul who suddenly finds himself confined to a wheelchair for life. 

Check back for updates on how donations like yours are helping Paul and Marie cope with this dramatic life changing condition. 

On behalf of Paul and Marie, their family and friends, a heartfelt thanks for your generous support.