“This is the hardest thing we have to go through. We are facing a really difficult time right now, and after all our bill payments, we have barely enough left for groceries. We have been basically eating toast just to save money
By Gagandeep Ghuman
There was hardly a day in the last 13 years that Jimmy Gaiarin woke up and didn’t feel like going to work. A veteran of the Iraq war, Jimmy did tours in Iraq and dismantled ammunition and cleared mines as a combat engineer. After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Jimmy learned how to paint homes and started his company in Ontario.
He later moved to North Shore with his wife and they together built a successful business painting homes in the North Shore.
Work was like therapy to him, Jimmy says. His company, Jimmy the Painter, at one point employed seven people and rarely faced a shortage of work. But a workplace accident last October turned his life upside down and left him with frightening anxiety about the future.
Shawna has now set up a Go Fund Me Page (CLICK HERE) and is hoping the North Shore community would help her veteran husband get back on his feet. With savings of the last five years nearly depleted, the family is facing an acute financial burden. The Worksafe BC payments have covered insurance and other bills, but there isn’t much left for groceries and other expenses.
“This is the hardest thing we have to go through. We are facing a really difficult time right now, and after all our bill payments, we have barely enough left for groceries. We have been basically eating toast just to save money, said Shawna, crying.
She recently sold her car so they have money for groceries, travel, etc, but unable to afford the rent on their Delbrook place, they have been packing their belongings and planning a move to Windsor, Ontario, where Shawna’s sister has offered them her basement unit.
Meanwhile, the bad news keeps coming. A week ago, a CT scan of his leg revealed he had a broken tibia, something the doctors had missed when he first went to the hospital.
“They have to re-open the leg and start all over again. The doctor said if you can walk in nine months for a mile without pain, it would be a success,” Jimmy said.
While he initially hoped he could continue the business with employees, they have gradually bailed out citing lack of supervision. A distraught Shawna said she really hopes the community will rally around Jimmy and donate just enough so they can have a few months’ worth of funds as Jimmy slowly recovers.
“It would be a shame for Jimmy to lose his painting company that he has worked so hard to achieve. He has such a long recovery ahead of him not being able to walk on his own for several months. I hope the community can get this veteran back on his feet,” she said.
To help, go to https://www.gofundme.com/qdtws6-jimmys-medical-fund, or search for Jimmy Gaiarin in the Go Fund page search bar. You can also contact Shawna and Jimmy at jimmythepainter@mail.com
—
Comments
NOTE: The North Shore Daily Post welcomes your opinions and comments. We do not allow personal attacks, offensive language or unsubstantiated allegations. We reserve the right to edit comments for length, style, legality and taste and reproduce them in print, electronic or otherwise. For further information, please contact the editor or publisher, or see our Terms and Conditions.