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Support for the boy?
Question:
Anyone see the news article on CNN about the Florida 6 year old (battling Leukemia since 2 I believe). He has a tree house that is 8 to 10 feet above the limits for the housing area. It was built for a celebration when at age 4 he had a good spell from the cancer. he even got his hair back for a while. Well now he is back in treatment, and the "Housing people" (those who tell you what color your house can be painted etc) is demanding it be removed /lowered/fixed to meet the standards. That place is the boy’s retreat; his sanctuary. the place where he doesn’t get poked and no adults harm him. Anyone know of this and how we can support him? Steve
Response:
I saw that article at http://www.obscurestore.com/ This is a funny site and you all should be looking there anyway. Daily weird news and funny things. Hope that helps you find our more about it. Bill You’ll love the prices at http://www.gems.com
Response:
Hi Steve, I wish I had a tree house like that to live in. I saw the article and like you, was moved by it, but have not seen or heard of any site to connect with. Let us know if you find one. Ed.
Response:
I read he gets to keep his treehouse as it was deemed "medically necessary." — Bill You’ll love the prices at http://www.gems.com
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Steve, I wish I had a tree house like that to live in. I saw the article and like you, was moved by it, but have not seen or heard of any site to connect with. Let us know if you find one. Ed.
Response:
Found the link: http://cnn.com/2000/US/01/11/treehouse.war/index.html Leukemia-stricken Tampa boy, 6, fights to keep tree house From staff and wire reports TAMPA, Florida (CNN) — Last spring, Brage Sassin appeared to be winning his three-year war with leukemia. To celebrate, he helped his dad build a tree house in their back yard as a safe haven, a special place to play. They finished in time for Brage’s sixth birthday March 28. But soon neighbors complained that the tree house reduced their property values. They took the matter to their homeowners association, which is supposed to enforce deed restrictions in the neighborhood. The homeowners association has told Brage’s parents that the tree house must be taken down. The boy’s parents say they can’t do it. Brage suffered a relapse in August. He now spends much of his time at the hospital undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments. On the rare occasions when he’s home, Brage loves to ascend into his wooden castle among the sturdy branches of an oak. The tree house is eight feet square, with a roof, walls and three windows. "I play games," Brage says brightly. "For him, being up there, it reminds him he’s just like everyone else," Brage’s mother, Tammy Sassin, told CNN affiliate WTVT in Tampa. "For the short time he was well, he played up there with his friends. He goes up there and feels safe. It’s his special place." The top of the tree house is about 14 feet high — six feet higher than permitted under the neighborhood deed restrictions. National and international news accounts about Brage and his endangered hideaway don’t change the rules, Liz DeAmbrose, president of the property owners association, told the St. Petersburg Times this week. "For eight months, we’ve tried a lot of different things," she said, "because we certainly don’t want to walk around being heavies. We have children. We have compassion. … On the other hand, we can get sued if we don’t uphold the deed restrictions. We’re not saying remove it; we’re saying take it down to the 8-foot level." Brage’s mom said that attempting to lower the structure probably would destroy it. During the monthslong battle, association manager Maura Lear wrote the Sassins: "This association recognizes the extenuating circumstances in this case, and the element of compassion has not been overlooked. If we had gone strictly by the book, a fine would have been imposed long ago." ‘There are other battles they could fight’ It is unclear how much the fine would be. In a follow-up letter, Lear wrote the Sassins that neighbors are upset because the tree house is hurting their property values and want it removed. But some neighbors dispute that. Melissa Bumberg, a neighbor with a direct view of the tree house, said it did not lower the value of her house, which she recently agreed to sell. The association, she said, should let Brage keep his tree house. "There are other battles they could fight," she said. Neighbor Patricia Christiansen agreed. "It’s ridiculous this family has to fight for something like that with everything they’re going through right now." B.J. Magol, another neighbor, said the homeowners group’s stance was "kind of harsh." He said he had no problem with the tree house. The top of the tree house is 6 feet higher than permitted Attorney offers free help to family At least one lawyer has offered free legal services to the Sassin family. Tampa Mayor Dick Greco is sympathetic. So, the matter will be discussed again, this time by the architectural review board, a committee of the homeowners association, DeAmbrose said. Another community leader, George Faugl, told the Times: "I understand the value of deed restrictions. But the highest property I value are my children. And with an uncertain future, rather than calling for the removal of the tree house, I’d be canvassing the community for possible marrow donors. Isn’t that a little more important?"