NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Help has arrived for Veda Fulford.
First thing Tuesday morning, a representative from the city of Norfolk’s Department of Human Services arrived at her home to check on her welfare. And on Thursday, for the first time since Sunday, Fulford had running water after a pipe burst in her 105-year-old home during frigid temperatures early Sunday morning.
Fulford, 38, a double-amputee who is in “hospice and home health,” had to deal with a home without running water and limited electricity with the pipe burst. Her children are staying with relatives while the family copes with the issues, and Sentara nurses are monitoring a sepsis concern.
The wounds on Fulford’s back are “very tender, and she can barely touch it without me flinching.”
Retired doctor Denise Davis made a house call of sorts. It was 55 degrees inside the home when she delivered a portable heater. Habitat for Humanity also opened its arms, and after a Good Samaritan found the leak and installed a temporary repair, Josh Schumacher with Norfolk Plumbing put in a permanent fix.
“We hopefully can get electricians in here to do an inspection on the electrical system and get the city to remove the red tags,” said Frank Hruska, executive director for Habitat for Humanity. “And then from there, we’ll see what we can do. But right now, the biggest issue is the funding source and how much money I have to spend on this house.”
This is what Fulford had said the day after water poured into her home.
“I got up to take a bath,” she said. “Oh, I turned around. I was on the phone. I noticed that I was hearing something drop. When I turned around, there was water coming from my ceiling, and another corner, it was dropping on my sofa.”
Tuesday morning the family was still trying to connect with an insurance adjuster.
Before noon that day, a codes specialist from the city of Norfolk showed up to shepherd Fulford through the repair process.
And while his mother is fierce on the phone, there is little she can do without assistance. Due to an infection, both legs were amputated a few years ago.
Charles Antongiorgi saw Fulford’s cries for help in a social media post. The handyman, at no charge, went to work to find the leak.
“I figured she needed help, and I can help,” Antongiorgi said. “I figured I’d come out and give her a hand. … There’s a lot of us that still do care out there. Not many, but there’s a good few.”
Fulford was more than appreciative for the help.
“I appreciate it, my kids appreciate it, and I am thankful for you,” Fulford said. “Yes, it was all positive. The city of Norfolk will make sure they can get the permits sent as fast as possible. My adjuster contacted me, letting me know that she’s escalated it and someone should be calling me in the next day or two to come out and inspect the damages. … We will get through it.”
WAVY viewers have also responded with donations on GoFundMe. The help is needed; the family has to pay out of pocket for repairs before their limited homeowners insurance kicks in.
If you would like to help, see Veda Fulford’s GoFundMe page.