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Hello, my name is Jason Vanover. I am a special education teacher in Chicago, IL. I haven't always lived in Chicago, I am originally from the St. Louis area. In 2006, I got out of the Air Force and was able to spend some quality time with my family while going to college. Over the next two years, I was blessed to develop a very special bond with my grandfather. In 2008, he passed away, but before he did, he decided for some reason to leave me his house. I knew at the time that there was a reason for this, and for that gut instinct, I decided not to sell it the same house that he had built in 1961. My grandfather was a great man. He was the most selfless and humble person I have ever met. He taught me so much about family and forgiveness and to never forget about those in need. He cared for his son who suffered from many diseases and let him live in his house when no one else would. Our Grandpa cared for his church and even took in a member of his church to live in his house so that he could successfully recover from his drug addiction, and it worked. The house that I still refer to as Grandpa's house is meant to help people. This is what I have learned and this is why I think that he left it to me. I am starting this GoFundMe account is to do just that.
My sister, Misty, with her thick curly hair and her beautiful big brown eyes has never had the luxury of living her life like most people. After the age of two years old, my Mom discovered that she had a severe learning disability. She has not been able to develop cognitive skills like the average person. Misty learned how to walk over the years, she learned how to say some basic words like “eat”, “cool car”, and “S*#T”. Yes, I learned all of the cuss words from my big sister. She knows me and my brother, Steve, as Bubby and my other sister, Stephanie, as Sissy. She knows when one of us or my Mom walks in the door because she lights up like a Christmas tree. Which speaking of Christmas, you should see this girl open gifts, she cares nothing about the gift itself, it’s all about the wrapping. She will spend ten minutes unwrapping a gift piece by piece while laughing the entire time. She is now not able to live on her own and needs the care of others to complete all of her daily living skills.
Recently, Misty’s health has been on the decline. She has a very limited ability to walk and requires much more assistance with transitioning from one room to the other. This decline in her health has lead to the current service provider requesting that she be moved from the house that she lives in now to a new agency as the current agency is more for behavioral, not medical. Now that Misty requires more medical assistance, the only other option is a facility. Well, if you have ever had a family member live in a facility, you know that it just doesn’t equate to the same quality of life compared to someone who gets to live in a house .
This is where my grandfather’s house comes into play. Over the last six years, I have worked very hard on restoring the house in my grandfather’s honor. Unfortunately, the bathroom is not big enough for a wheel chair or a lift. In order for Misty to live in the house, we will need to remodel the bathroom, bedroom, and hallway and build a wheelchair accessible ramp in the front of the house to meet the specifications required by the State of Missouri to allow her to live in the Grandpa’s house.
She will receive 24 hour care from caregivers and we have also requested for her to have a roommate. Misty will have the opportunity to live out her life with dignity and get the care that she deserves.
My sister, Misty, with her thick curly hair and her beautiful big brown eyes has never had the luxury of living her life like most people. After the age of two years old, my Mom discovered that she had a severe learning disability. She has not been able to develop cognitive skills like the average person. Misty learned how to walk over the years, she learned how to say some basic words like “eat”, “cool car”, and “S*#T”. Yes, I learned all of the cuss words from my big sister. She knows me and my brother, Steve, as Bubby and my other sister, Stephanie, as Sissy. She knows when one of us or my Mom walks in the door because she lights up like a Christmas tree. Which speaking of Christmas, you should see this girl open gifts, she cares nothing about the gift itself, it’s all about the wrapping. She will spend ten minutes unwrapping a gift piece by piece while laughing the entire time. She is now not able to live on her own and needs the care of others to complete all of her daily living skills.
Recently, Misty’s health has been on the decline. She has a very limited ability to walk and requires much more assistance with transitioning from one room to the other. This decline in her health has lead to the current service provider requesting that she be moved from the house that she lives in now to a new agency as the current agency is more for behavioral, not medical. Now that Misty requires more medical assistance, the only other option is a facility. Well, if you have ever had a family member live in a facility, you know that it just doesn’t equate to the same quality of life compared to someone who gets to live in a house .
This is where my grandfather’s house comes into play. Over the last six years, I have worked very hard on restoring the house in my grandfather’s honor. Unfortunately, the bathroom is not big enough for a wheel chair or a lift. In order for Misty to live in the house, we will need to remodel the bathroom, bedroom, and hallway and build a wheelchair accessible ramp in the front of the house to meet the specifications required by the State of Missouri to allow her to live in the Grandpa’s house.
She will receive 24 hour care from caregivers and we have also requested for her to have a roommate. Misty will have the opportunity to live out her life with dignity and get the care that she deserves.
Organizer
Jason Matthew
Organizer
Eureka, MO