Foster parents in house disaster overwhelmed by support
A western Manitoba couple whose dreams of opening their home as a facility for disabled children were dashed by an inspection disaster are getting an outpouring of support.
The Whitehead-area house that foster parents Patrick and Teresa Campbell purchased — and had inspected several times — was later deemed unsafe to live in and too costly to fix.
The Campbells had wanted to turn the house into a centre for children with medical needs, where they would offer music therapy, gardening and family advocacy programs.
The couple and their seven children have since been living in a trailer on the property. They are now paying two mortgages, including one on the empty home.
Since the Campbells told CBC News about their house inspection nightmare this week, they have been overwhelmed with support from those who read, heard and watched their story.
"I just felt so bad," said Dylan Dyck, who saw the Campbells' story and shared it with Canada's ultimate inspector — Mike Holmes of Holmes on Homes and other TV shows.
Dyck and dozens of others took to Holmes's website, pleading with him to help the family out.
The Campbells' house had passed four inspections in total, but it was when the Campbells began renovations a year later that faulty electrical systems and problem plumbing were uncovered.
The house was ultimately deemed unsafe to live in.
On Wednesday, the Campbells met with an engineer who recommended that the house be torn down and rebuilt.
The couple said they have received all sorts of public support in the form of phone calls, Facebook messages and emails.
They have also been contacted by two different contractors who plan to view the home and determine how they can help.
One contractor, from Brandon, Man., even told the family he wants to help them rebuild, and he is lining up other contractors and rallying suppliers to donate materials.
As well, a Mennonite church has told the family it will send in workers to help with the rebuild.
Meanwhile, the Rural Municipality of Whitehead says it's planning to set up a trust fund for the Campbells. Those who want to help can contact the municipal office.
