My name is Eric MacKeigan and I am 36yrs old. I was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.

My parents were unaware of my conditions until I was actually delivered. Upon delivery, I was airlifted from Brantford, Ontario, Canada to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto for the care that I required.

Despite a negative outlook from many, and even some opposition, my parents made the decision to take me home. My childhood was one of many trips to (and stays in) the hospital. Through the age of 11, I was subjected to more than a dozen surgeries. Closing an opening in my back at the base of my spine, a shunt installed in my brain, procedures to both hips, and I've had both my ankles rotated and fused twice.

Upon completing high school, I took a job at my family's car lot. I answered the phone, filed paperwork, and occasionally sweet-talked a customer until they were ready to close a deal. After the family business closed, I took jobs as they came. I have done everything from data entry to reception, sales, customer and even briefly, I was a 911 dispatcher.

Entrepreneurship is my passion though. I have had my own retail consignment store, been in advertising, and twice (and currently) I have owned my own woodworking business. Whatever business I have been in, I have always made a point to be community oriented. I am proud of where I come from, and I take every opportunity I am given, to give back.

Now, I need your help.

In October 2012, I was lucky enough to get married. In October 2014, we bought our first home.

Now, although the house is 2 storeys, it is ideal for us, for many reasons. The lot is fully paved, which means, no lawncare maintenance is required and we can have a plow come in the winter to remove the snow. Also, the house is large enough, and laid out in a manner that is ideal for retrofit.

We knew that sometime down the road we need to do some work to make the house more accessible as my condition changed. What we didn't expect was that, in April 2017, I would be having my right foot amputated. This comes with a recovery period that can be as long as 1 year, before I am fully on my feet again.

This means, we need about $20,000 to install an elevator on the outside of the home so that I can use my wheelchair to access the side door, we need to install a main floor washroom, and we need to widen and ramp a doorway in the centre of the home separating our living room from the rest of the house.

Would you consider $1? $10? Maybe you can give $100 to my need. Maybe you're a part of a networking group or service club and you can take a collection from your fellow members. Maybe all you are able to do is share my story with your friends and family. I am grateful to you all for however you can help. Share the campaign with the hashtag #NewLegToStandOn

Thank you,

Eric MacKeigan - Scroll Saw Artist