- M
Dearest Friends and Family,
On the morning of November 8, a fire erupted in the apartment directly above my mom's flat, causing severe damage that has resulted in extensive smoke and water damage to her living space as well, rendering it unlivable for the time being. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the shock and trauma of the event remains, and I am reaching out to you all to help us through these next few months.
The tenant responsible fled the scene and remains missing. The police are investigating it but we won't have answers for a few weeks. For the past six months and longer, Merideth and I have been pleading with the landlord to get this person evicted due to his ongoing drug use and suspected dealing, abusive and often violent, unpredictable behavior, and unfortunately it has led to this unthinkable yet predictable turn of events.
While my mom's apartment did not burn, the water and smoke damage, holes in the walls and ceilings, doors destroyed, etc. is substantial, with most of her furniture and belongings stacked and jammed into the front living room as a result (her photographs were saved). The current estimate for the clean-up and repairs to be finished that would allow her to move back in is 3-4 months and possibly longer.
Merideth is currently staying with her friend Tom McAfee in Fairfax, thirty minutes north, as we assess what her next steps will be. She has been living in her rent-controlled apartment for the last 20 years, and has availed herself to the many services available that would allow her to “age in place”, something that was possible thanks to the various programs available for low-income seniors.
However, with no renters insurance nor savings for such an emergency, that goal seems to be in jeopardy. On top of everything else, my mom was recently diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer (Waldenström-Makroglobulinämie) which is being monitored through medicare at UCSF, but leaving her with very little energy to cope with all that’s going on.
Right now getting her into a safe apartment near her home on a temporary basis is the priority, and that’s where we, her friends and community who love and cherish her, can come in. It's hard to know exactly what the expenses and contingencies will look like, but finding temporary housing close by (not covered by her landlord's insurance, by the way); legal expenses to deal with her rights; expenses to pay for cleaning and damage to her personal belongings, and possible storage for the rest during construction — these are all likely items that will need to be covered. We’ve been in contact with the Red Cross and they’ve been very helpful, but it’s very likely that we’ll need much more.
Therefore, I am calling upon you, our friends and family to please offer whatever you can to support Merideth during this time. Anything you can give, and ideas you have to share will be so appreciated. I will send updates as we get a clearer picture but until then, she really needs the help.
Also, if you can share this GoFundMe appeal as well, we will be most grateful.
You can also support her by taking a look at her website at:
I sincerely thank you all so much, and Broomhead (Merideth) thanks you as well.
Sarah Grierson-Dale