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L.A. plumbers turn family's pipe dream into reality
http://www.latimes.com ^ | july 29, 2013 | David Lazarus

Posted on 07/30/2013 3:05:44 PM PDT by lowbridge

Dorothy, 77, showed him in. In the middle of the living room, Dave saw her son Steve, 50, propped up in a hospital bed. His right leg had been amputated below the knee because of diabetes. In the nearby bedroom was her husband, John, 78, who has Parkinson's disease.

Recalling the moment, Dave told me that he "immediately felt and saw the life stripped out of Dorothy" because of the pressures she faced.

He proceeded with his inspection of the Cothrans' bathroom. He saw an old tub unsuitable for a person with Steve's disability. He saw fixtures that made the room impossible to move about in with a wheelchair or walker.

Dave finished looking around, thanked the Cothrans for their time and left the condo. Standing out in the hallway, Dave said, he felt strangely emotional.

"I knocked on their door again and pulled Dorothy aside," Dave said. "I asked her if my assumptions were correct about her son not being able to use the bathroom."

When I later spoke with Dorothy, she recalled the moment in pretty much the same words. She said she told Dave that the family had to pay for caretakers to visit twice a week to give Steve and John sponge baths.

"That's when Dave asked if I'd like the bathroom remodeled," Dorothy said. "I told him that sounded wonderful, but...."

She started crying as she related the story. She had been about to ask how much something like that would cost.

"Dave told me not to even ask the question," Dorothy recalled amid her tears. "He said it would be free."

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Local News; Society
KEYWORDS: california; goodsamaritan; goodstory; losangeles; plumbers; schuelkeplumbing
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nfeirkb3mU
1 posted on 07/30/2013 3:05:44 PM PDT by lowbridge
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To: lowbridge

Great story & vid. Real kindness extended without an agenda. Thanks for posting.


2 posted on 07/30/2013 3:16:45 PM PDT by Dutchboy88
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To: lowbridge

I need to call the plumber brothers...have a leak in my eyes. ;)


3 posted on 07/30/2013 3:25:16 PM PDT by beaversmom
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Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

To: lowbridge

Like I needed more proof there were better men than me.


5 posted on 07/30/2013 3:40:56 PM PDT by muir_redwoods (Don't fire until you see the blue of their helmets)
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To: lowbridge

Mus be illegal, stuff posta come from ‘Bama.


6 posted on 07/30/2013 3:41:32 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: lowbridge

This is very cool, and in all likelihood they were union plumbers. Makes no difference, good hearted people come in all shapes, sizes, and political stripes. Well done, gentlemen.


7 posted on 07/30/2013 3:43:41 PM PDT by bigbob
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To: bigbob

They own the company — unlikely they’re union members, although their employees might be.


8 posted on 07/30/2013 4:08:18 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: lowbridge

There are a lot of really good people in America; this story showed us two more. Bravo, Jim and Dave Schuelke. An angel just rang a bell for you and your crew.


9 posted on 07/30/2013 4:12:07 PM PDT by Carriage Hill (Guns kill people, pencils misspell words, cars drive drunk & spoons make you fat.)
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To: lowbridge

They took out the tub that they surely needed and put in a shower?


10 posted on 07/30/2013 4:54:54 PM PDT by Teflonic
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To: lowbridge

Thanks for posting!


11 posted on 07/30/2013 5:53:38 PM PDT by credo 2
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To: lowbridge

Wonderful story. Thanks.


12 posted on 07/30/2013 6:02:33 PM PDT by Bigg Red (Let me hear what God the LORD will speak. -Ps85)
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