Three years ago my wife became gravely ill.   The illness came out of the blue and hit her like a ton of bricks. She developed severe respiratory symptoms, nosebleeds and was on high doses of Ventolin and struggled to breathe nevertheless.

Eventually we discovered the bamboo flooring we had installed in our home was responsible.   The flooring contained high and illegal levels of formaldehyde and this had been making her sick, to make things worse it permeated the walls and furniture.  We discovered that high levels of formaldehyde in floorings have become a problem throughout the States also.  

The expense we paid out for remediating the problem was astronomical.   When government and our Insurance carrier refused all assistance, we were left with no other choice but to sell our home at a loss.  

But my wife is still unwell and struggles almost daily with respiratory challenges because of the acute poisoning she suffered.  Last year I nearly lost her to heart and lung complications.    

Living in apartments has been a nightmare for her.   Each time there is a renovation or a painting project begins in a building we are forced to leave because my wife cannot breathe.  She has become extremely sensitive to construction dust and many building products.   Her breathing problems are also severely aggravated by fabric softeners and for this reason she is unable to even tolerate the fabric softener residue from public laundry facilities in apartment buildings. Having a clean air home for her is absolutely essential if she has any hope of recovery or any semblance of quality of life according to a top US toxicologist.

However, my bank, Scotiabank, has turned us down for a loan.  I am 77 and have been a reliable and loyal customer for 32 years having obtained and paid off a number of mortgages.

But now at the most vulnerable time for my wife I am not able to provide one simple thing – the home she needs to get well.   

A modest home is all that is needed.   I am simply asking that the Bank extend a loan for compassionate reasons and as a show of good faith toward a reliable customer. 

Homes in our area can be had for under $100,000.   But we have even considered homes as low as $60,000 where we would be glad to live.  As long as my wife is able to breathe easily there – that is all that concerns me.  

We had never expected something like this could ever happen in Canada.   But it has happened to us!   

Please sign our Petition to ask ScotiaBank to grant me the loan that could give my wife some quality of life at this – the most vulnerable time in her life. 

Thank You!