Ready for Fresh Start

Last summer, Craig and Shelly Johnson learned their dream home for the last 24 years was poisoning them. The mold that had been unknowingly strangling every surface of their attic for more than a decade was doing the same to their health.

This summer, the Johnsons broke ground on a new home — a place of healing, they hope — thanks to their dedicated circle of friends and the generosity of the community.

“There are just no words to describe their generosity, their compassion, their support,” Shelly said of the efforts. “It’s more than we could have ever imagined.”

“You never realize how much you’re loved until something like this happens,” she added.

After a decade of unexplained chronic pain, fatigue, respiratory infections and debilitating headaches, Craig and Shelly learned the attic of their home was full of various varieties of black and white mold. An error made during an extensive remodel in 1996 caused moisture from thousands of showers over the years to be trapped in the attic, creating a breeding ground for mold. Because of the levels of toxins, their home was uninhabitable.

Then came the next devastating blow: Their homeowner insurance policy — like most others — had a mold exclusion. Nothing was covered. Three years earlier, the couple filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy after draining their retirement fund and bank accounts to pay for medical tests and treatment.

They had nothing left.

That’s when their longtime friend Tiffany Johnson stepped in.

Estimates to mediate the mold problem top $250,000. And even if the home is remodeled, the Johnsons run the risk of getting ill if all of the mold spores aren’t found and removed. So Tiffany Johnson made it her mission to raise money to build the Johnsons a new home.

She established a nonprofit, Raise the Roof Foundation, for the cause. She organized fundraisers, created an online crowdfunding account and began networking, asking contractors to donate services and businesses to provide supplies.

The fundraising efforts brought in $80,000 — enough to purchase the lot for the Johnsons’ new home in the Greater Brush Prairie neighborhood. Contractors, subcontractors, businesses and labor unions lined up to help, offering labor and supplies for free or at greatly discounted costs. Karlsen Homes took the lead as the general contractor.

Dave Galanter, a foundation partner, helped the Johnsons secure a loan through Banner Bank to cover the remaining costs. He hopes to keep the mortgage below $70,000.

Galanter is also helping the Johnsons communicate with the company that holds the mortgage for the contaminated house. The Johnsons aren’t sure what they’re going to do with the house, but they worry it will be foreclosed, receive a surface-level repair and resold to another family who could be sickened.

The showing of community support for the project has encouraged Tiffany Johnson and Galanter to continue their efforts.

The Raise the Roof Foundation will continue to accept donations with the goal of building one new house each year for families in situations similar to that of Craig and Shelly. The foundation will establish a board to accept nominations for the annual build and select a family to help.

Tiffany Johnson hopes to see her friends move into their new home in the coming months.

The Johnsons’ new home will be a single-level, 1,550-square-foot home built on a 5,200-square-foot lot. They’ll have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The kitchen will have an open floor plan and the living room with have vaulted ceilings with big windows overseeing their small backyard.

“This is our retirement home,” Shelly said.

Slow recovery

Shelly, 51, and Craig, 55, have both undergone lengthy courses of treatment with a naturopath at a mold center in Tigard, Ore.

Shelly tested high for inflammation. Years ago, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic pain disorder.

“The mold just enhanced my issues and sped it up,” she said.

Shelly’s doctor put her on a strict diet to help with the inflammation. She cut out wheat, gluten, beef, pork, eggs, dairy and corn.

“On the bright side, I am feeling so much better,” Shelly said.

Shelly is sleeping better. She’s able to stand up straight and walk farther without getting exhausted. Her pain is finally manageable.

Craig’s recovery has been slower.

Craig continues to have neurological troubles. He experiences crippling headaches at times and is sensitive to bright lights and loud sounds. He has difficulty sleeping and experiences confusion from time to time. He was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and his body is struggling to adjust to the powerful medications.

“You have really crummy days,” Craig said.

Still, he was able to return to his job at Yard ‘n Garden Land in Vancouver, where he’s worked as a landscaper for 20 years.

“They’ve been very compassionate to what we’ve been going through,” Craig said.

Shelly and Craig are both undergoing more tests to determine their level of toxins after a year of treatment. From there, their providers will determine the next steps. Doctors suspect Craig’s treatment could take three to five years.

Next month, Craig will also undergo another neurological exam with a specialist.

The Johnsons aren’t only focused on their healing, though. They’re determined to raise awareness about the prevalence of mold and the potential health risks.

“It’s so widespread,” Craig said. “It’s incredible.”

Since The Columbian’s first story about the Johnsons in September 2014, Craig and Shelly have heard from countless people about their own suspicions of mold causing illness and stories of family members who died from mold poisoning.

“We just don’t want anybody to go through what we’ve gone through — medically and financially,” Craig said. “Financially, you can recover. Medically, we never will.”