Help Walter Rebuild His Life After Devastating Events

Story

Through no fault of his own, my dear friend and ex-partner Walter has lost his health, his income, and now his home. I’m reaching out now for help to Walter’s large network of acquaintances, friends, and to the people who love him.

What Happened:
On Christmas Eve of 2024, Walter was sitting in his rocking chair, getting ready to watch the news, when the ceiling of his NYC apartment fell in and collapsed onto him. Walter sustained minor injuries and some property damage as a result.

Apparently, Walter’s upstairs neighbor had gone out of town, but had left his window open, causing the radiator below to freeze and subsequently explode, flooding the apartment and causing the ceiling collapse. The neighbor denied any fault or liability and quickly moved out of the building to elude further investigation.

Walter was then informed by his landlord that she had submitted an insurance claim to repair the damage to the ceiling, and that he and our son, Jonah, would have to vacate their apartment for the duration of the repairs. She also told Walter that he would be required to move all of his belongings (furniture, clothing, etc.) out of his apartment so extensive renovations could be undertaken, renovations funded by claims she made to the insurance company of extensive damage throughout the apartment. The landlord offered no compensation, expecting Walter to comply at his own expense.

The landlord finally agreed to pay the fees for storage of Walter and Jonah’s possessions, and Walter found a temporary housing situation for him and Jonah. Unfortunately, on one of Walter‘s first mornings at the temporary apartment, he fell down the steep concrete stairs in front of the building, sustaining serious injuries (one fractured knee, one broken knee, various cuts and bruises) that required hospitalization. Due to his injuries, Walter lost his ability to walk and was eventually transferred from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility in the Bronx, where he has remained for months.

Before his hospitalization, Walter had been working as a consultant for a financial company. Unfortunately, due to his lengthy rehabilitative stay, Walter lost this job and his income and has not worked for months.

On the Friday afternoon before Memorial Day weekend, Walter received a call at the rehabilitation center from his landlord, informing Walter that he and Jonah would not be able to move back into their apartment of over 20 years (despite the fact that they have a lease) and that they would need to find another place to live. She claimed to be evicting Walter and Jonah “as a friend” and “in Walter‘s best interest” as he would now likely have trouble climbing the stairs in the building.

Each of these events happened to Walter through no fault of his own. I cannot imagine how devastating it has been for him to have lost his health, his income, his home, and possibly his possessions, as the landlord has current control over their storage.

At this time, Walter is still in the rehabilitation center beginning to walk again, and he is very anxious and scared about what the future will hold for him. Walter has always been a kind, compassionate, generous man, willing to help people in need. I am reaching out now and asking for help in the form of donations (for legal fees and/or to secure a new apartment), advice as to a course of action, leads on attorneys, leads on apartments, etc. I am also asking people to please share this story.

Thank you for reading. I’m sending all my love and gratitude for your support.

Organizers :

Donna Fiumano is organizing this fundraiser.