Support Josiah

Friday Funding Update:
June 23, 2017

Just when we thought things were nearing completion, a torrential downpour that yielded 3-4 inches of rain in one night came close to causing catastrophic damage to the breezeway, therapy room, and therapy pool. God was so gracious to allow me to see the flooding right when it started, and He allowed the damage that did occur to be repairable. The morning after the flood, I was shocked to see the pool. It had large bloated sections where water had leaked in between the liner and the pool walls. Thankfully, our very gracious and patient pool contractor David Foust of Foust Pool Construction was able to siphon the unwelcome water without having to drain the entire pool.

Meemaw in the Mud

We met with our pool contractor, cement company, general contractor, and a professional landscaping company this week. All of them agreed on a course of action that will be necessary to prevent this from happening again. As I said last time, no one could have predicted how bad the drainage issues would be. The likelihood is that, with just a standard rain storm, we would not have had much trouble. But its the occasional downpour or hurricane level storm that we have to prepare for if we are going to ensure that this doesn't happen again. My brother and his team of guys from LaTour Electric came yesterday and dug a trench and installed a sump pump that will stay in place until the landscaping company can come in about three weeks to complete the work.

The temporary fix.

We need to have a substantial portion of our yard graded. Then we need two french drains installed in the yard to prevent water accumulation. So that the water doesn't become an issue for our neighbors, we also need to have the drains flow into a pipe that will be installed all the way to the road. Because gravel has to be used to install the drains and because Josiah and Jalen are so drawn to mud, we have to have the entire area sodded after the drains are installed. Both of our boys have a long history of Pica which is the medical condition of consuming non-edible materials or objects. Josiah and Jalen both have had multiple dental surgeries for broken and abscessed teeth due to eating gravel, broken cement, and mud.

The expense for all of this work was not something that we anticipated or budgeted for. The quote for correcting the drainage issues is $6,100. The current balance of the Josiah Verroi Fund is $5,800, but a large portion of this money was supposed to go towards paying for the padding in Josiah's therapy room. We have a few other smaller invoices that we are waiting to receive for work that has been completed. These will also have to be paid. The padding company is coming out today to give us a final quote for the padding. There was some delay on this, because we requested that they drive to come and take the measurements for us to ensure accuracy. For many reasons, I feel terrible asking people to give more money towards a project that has cost so much already. But, as my brother reminded me, none of this could have been anticipated and it would be a shame to allow what has been purchased to be ruined due to water damage. So I am swallowing that big lump in my throat and asking for anyone who is able and willing to help us fund the $6,100 needed to correct the water drainage issues. We need to be able to raise the funds for this within the next three weeks before construction begins. If the Lord has taught us anything through this fundraiser, it is that HE is able and so many people are willing! As I have so often said, we truly are eternally grateful for any help that can be offered.

Trusting His plan,
Christy

*To those who have been asking, Josiah is doing great. The barometric pressure changes have been tough this week, but the therapy room and pool are helping SO much!