By Cheryl K. Chumley-The Washington Times Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Neighbors in a Fountain, Colo., community are demanding a family remove a ramp they installed outside their front door for their handicapped daughter, saying the structure threatens property values.
The neighbors said they’ll sue if the homeowners, Vincent and Heidi Giesegh, don’t dismantle the ramp, a local television station reported. But the parents say the ramp is necessary for their 16-year-old daughter, Kirsten, who has cerebral palsy.
“As she goes into her spastic modes, we could just tumble down the stairs and both of us could get massively hurt,” Mrs. Giesegh said.
The family doesn’t live in a community guided by Homeowners' Association policy, and they say the city already approved construction of the ramp. But neighbors say the family’s next-door neighbor expressed concern about property values, and that was enough to rally many in the community to threaten suit, the station reported.
The next-door neighbor who allegedly started the complaint did not provide a comment to the station.
But Mr. Giesegh had plenty to say.
“It’s kind of irritating,” he said. “I mean, we’re trying to do our best to assist our daughter with her daily needs to get in and out of the house.”
The Gieseghs say they’ve reached out to the Rocky Mountain American Disability Center for guidance.
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/aug/14/family-handicapped-girl-dispute-neighbors-ramp/#ixzz2c9BwTxwS
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter
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UPDATE
By: Zak Sos, KKTV, Aug 15, 2013
A civil rights lawyer is weighing in on the handicap ramp at the center of a neighborhood squabble.
Vincent and Heidi Giesegh say their neighbors are threatening legal action if they don't remove the ramp. The Gieseghs say they need it for their 16-year-old daughter Kirsten, who has Cerebral Palsy. The couple next door, the Gieseghs say, is worried that the ramp will hurt the value of their home.
"We're trying to do our best to assist our daughter with her daily needs to get in and out of the house," Vincent Giesegh told 11 News.
"As she goes into her spastic modes, we could just tumble down the stairs and both of us could get massively hurt," said Heidi Giesegh.
Civil rights lawyer Amy Robertson says the Gieseghs are protected under the Fair Housing Act:
The Fair Housing Act says that someone with disabilities has the right to have something like this ramp. The family has the right to use and enjoy their house, and the law prohibits anyone from interfering with that right.
Now that lawyer, from the Denver-based Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center, is getting in touch with the neighbors.
"We're sending a letter today to the neighbor, and again, the tone of that letter is very explanatory. Just hoping that if they understand the law, that this problem will be resolved. Of course, if they want to meet, we'd certainly be open to a meeting," Robertson told 11 News.
The Gieseghs neighborhood doesn't have an HOA, and the family says the city of Fountain told them it was ok to install the ramp and widen their driveway for a handicap van. 11 News went next door to get the neighbor's side of the story--they told us no comment.
The family's home is part of a community under construction. We reached out to the home's builder, who says they've also received complaints from the neighbors.
The Gieseghs say they've contacted the Rocky Mountain American Disability Center for help.
http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/NEIGHBORS-WANT-FAMILYS-HANDICAP-RAMP-REMOVED-218930251.html?device=phone
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Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/colorado-family-threatened-legal-action-wheelchair-ramp-article-1.1430839#ixzz2ckHTz2Hu
Neighbors in a Fountain, Colo., community are demanding a family remove a ramp they installed outside their front door for their handicapped daughter, saying the structure threatens property values.
The neighbors said they’ll sue if the homeowners, Vincent and Heidi Giesegh, don’t dismantle the ramp, a local television station reported. But the parents say the ramp is necessary for their 16-year-old daughter, Kirsten, who has cerebral palsy.
“As she goes into her spastic modes, we could just tumble down the stairs and both of us could get massively hurt,” Mrs. Giesegh said.
The family doesn’t live in a community guided by Homeowners' Association policy, and they say the city already approved construction of the ramp. But neighbors say the family’s next-door neighbor expressed concern about property values, and that was enough to rally many in the community to threaten suit, the station reported.
The next-door neighbor who allegedly started the complaint did not provide a comment to the station.
But Mr. Giesegh had plenty to say.
“It’s kind of irritating,” he said. “I mean, we’re trying to do our best to assist our daughter with her daily needs to get in and out of the house.”
The Gieseghs say they’ve reached out to the Rocky Mountain American Disability Center for guidance.
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/aug/14/family-handicapped-girl-dispute-neighbors-ramp/#ixzz2c9BwTxwS
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter
###
UPDATE
By: Zak Sos, KKTV, Aug 15, 2013
A civil rights lawyer is weighing in on the handicap ramp at the center of a neighborhood squabble.
Vincent and Heidi Giesegh say their neighbors are threatening legal action if they don't remove the ramp. The Gieseghs say they need it for their 16-year-old daughter Kirsten, who has Cerebral Palsy. The couple next door, the Gieseghs say, is worried that the ramp will hurt the value of their home.
"We're trying to do our best to assist our daughter with her daily needs to get in and out of the house," Vincent Giesegh told 11 News.
"As she goes into her spastic modes, we could just tumble down the stairs and both of us could get massively hurt," said Heidi Giesegh.
Civil rights lawyer Amy Robertson says the Gieseghs are protected under the Fair Housing Act:
The Fair Housing Act says that someone with disabilities has the right to have something like this ramp. The family has the right to use and enjoy their house, and the law prohibits anyone from interfering with that right.
Now that lawyer, from the Denver-based Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center, is getting in touch with the neighbors.
"We're sending a letter today to the neighbor, and again, the tone of that letter is very explanatory. Just hoping that if they understand the law, that this problem will be resolved. Of course, if they want to meet, we'd certainly be open to a meeting," Robertson told 11 News.
The Gieseghs neighborhood doesn't have an HOA, and the family says the city of Fountain told them it was ok to install the ramp and widen their driveway for a handicap van. 11 News went next door to get the neighbor's side of the story--they told us no comment.
The family's home is part of a community under construction. We reached out to the home's builder, who says they've also received complaints from the neighbors.
The Gieseghs say they've contacted the Rocky Mountain American Disability Center for help.
http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/NEIGHBORS-WANT-FAMILYS-HANDICAP-RAMP-REMOVED-218930251.html?device=phone
###
Colorado family threatened with lawsuit over wheelchair ramp
A family in Colorado has been asked to remove front-door wheelchair ramp by neighbors who say it diminishes property values. A lawsuit has been threatened.
BY DEBORAH HASTINGS / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013,
HEIDI.GIESEGH/VIA FACEBOOK
Kirstine Giesegh, 16, has cerebral palsy. A new wheelchair ramp makes it easier for her to get in, and out, of the house.
The Giesegh family says it’s all about their 16-year-old daughter. A neighbor says it’s all about curb appeal.
Vincent and Heidi Giesegh of Fountain, Colo., say their neighbors have threated to sue if they don’t dismantle a concrete wheelchair ramp recently built in their front yard.
“I mean, I’m just kind of disappointed that a neighbor of mine that doesn’t — I don’t think he really understands the necessity of handicap-accessible homes,” Vincent Giesegh said in an interview with KKTV in Colorado Springs.
HEIDI.GIESEGH/VIA FACEBOOK
Vincent and Heidi Giesegh say the front-yard ramp improves their daughter's life. Kirstin is confined to a wheelchair.
The neighbors, who have not been named, declined comment to the television station.
The Gieseghs had the ramp constructed to help 16-year-old daughter, Kirsten, who has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Their neighbors contend it is an eyesore that will drive down property values, according to the Gieseghs.
“We’re trying to do our best to assist our daughter with her daily needs to get in and out of the house," the dad said.
KKTV.COM
Fountain, Colo., house with wheelchair ramp has angered the neighbors, who threatens to sue over what they claim are lower property values.
"As she goes into her spastic modes, we could just tumble down the stairs and both of us could get massively hurt," said mother Heidi Giesegh.
The couple said they had received approval from the city to construct the ramp.
Property records show they moved into the suburban neighborhood south of Colorado Springs in December of last year.
The subdivision is still under construction.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/colorado-family-threatened-legal-action-wheelchair-ramp-article-1.1430839#ixzz2ckHTz2Hu
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