In the quiet community of Redford Township, Michigan, sixty-nine-year-old Herman McClain, a disabled veteran who served his country right after the Vietnam War, has found himself in a predicament. McClain and his husband George recently purchased their first home, but they’ve quickly run into some daunting challenges.
The two face considerable obstacles in the form of home repairs, most notably a dangerously rusted railing that has become a significant safety risk. As individuals with disabilities, both McClain and George rely on canes to move around. The rusted railing poses a potential fall hazard. “I’m hoping I don’t fall, that’s my main thing,” McClain voices his concern. “I pray I don’t fall going up or going down.”
What makes the situation more challenging is McClain’s fixed income, which limits his resources to address these immediate home repairs. “It’s very scary, you don’t know what’s gonna happen,” he admits, fingering the rusty railing. “We thought that would be taken care of after we got the house.”
Regrettably, this was not the case. While previous issues detected by a home inspector, particularly those in the garage, were resolved, this rusty railing and a severe leak in the basement remain. These are the types of problems a fixed income struggles to handle.
Despite the discouraging circumstances, McClain’s spirit remains unbroken but he acknowledges the need for assistance. “Would you please, if you can, give us a hand,” he pleads. “We can’t do it, we’re disabled. God knows we would do it if we could, but I can’t.”
Local sympathizers or aid organizations who are able and willing to lend a hand to McClain can potentially make a world of difference to this veteran and his husband. One thing is clear, in times of strife, communities often rise to help those in need, and we hope this to hold true for McClain and George.
