A Calgary family was given a 24-hour notice to remove what’s considered an eyesore in their backyard. But what the property management company inspectors didn’t realize was the essential needs it provides.
The backyard swing is custom built for a five-year-old boy with special needs.
Izrahia Daugherty was born severely brain injured and has little to no mobility. The swing allows him to experience the outdoors.
“When he’s happy, he gets a glint and he smiles,” his mom Nicole Daugherty said. “I know he likes rocking and the breeze, so it’s fantastic.”
It gives the family more than fresh air; it gives them freedom.
“There’s nowhere else in the house we can all sit together,” Daugherty said.
“To have something in the yard together is phenomenal. We are sort of a normal family for the time we are out there.”
However, Boardwalk’s inspection team felt it didn’t meet curb appeal or aesthetic requirements and ordered the family to remove it.
“It would be heartbreaking to have to get rid of it,” Daugherty said.
“I do feel like I hit an awful lot of bumps and would have really like if this wasn’t one of them.”
Daugherty is raising two other children with special needs and the situation just added stress.
After Global News called the rental company, Boardwalk officials immediately reversed the order.
CEO Sam Kolias said they weren’t aware of its purpose and are thrilled to allow the family to keep it.
Kolias even extended an offer to the family to purchase them a better built swing that could accommodate their needs.
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