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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ne 27 ,2 01 9 | 52 Paul Marsh was staring death in the face. As the Georgetown man lay in a hospital bed after coming out of a diabetic co- ma, he made a promise to himself. "I thought if I survive this thing, I'll do whatever I can to make life better for others," he recalled. And the 60-year-old is staying true to his word. This coming weekend, he will be hosting a massive furniture and autographed memorabilia sale, with proceeds going to benefit not only the Halton Diabe- tes Program that helped bring him back to health, but also his adult son Duane, who became a quadriplegic following a car accident and lives in an extendicare facility. The local man's alarm- ing story started on a trip to Cuba, where he col- lapsed and was rushed to hospital. Unbeknownst to him, he had developed type 1 diabetes and fell into a di- abetic coma for several days. "To have this diagnosis all of a sudden was really shocking. Basically I wasn't going to make it," he said. "I knew if I didn't get on a plane back to Canada, I was done." After arriving home, he was quickly admitted to the intensive care unit at the Georgetown Hospital, where he stayed for two weeks as he was nursed back to health. He then began seeing a specialist in Oakville and frequenting the George- town branch of the Halton Diabetes Program, where he received guidance on taking his four daily shots of insulin properly, diet and other changes neces- sary to get better. "If it wasn't for Jennifer (at the Halton Diabetes Program) and her strong outlook on diabetes, I don't know where I'd be," he said. "She was so helpful. She took me from a depressed mood and encouraged me to keep going." Today, Marsh's health and blood sugars have made a dramatic turn- around - so good that doc- tors have been able to safe- ly take him off insulin and put him on Metformin in- stead. "I feel really blessed," he said. "I have so many things in life to look forward to." With his health stabi- lized, Marsh and his wife Diane are ready to give back to others. Their sale this weekend will include everything from custom live edge tables and exclu- sive vintage and antique furniture to autographed memorabilia from some very famous sports and en- tertainment names, in- cluding the likes of David Bowie and Keith Richards. All items are originals and have been authenticat- ed. Many of the pieces available for sale have been in the Marsh family for some time, with his father and grandfather also being collectors. The sale is being held at the Marsh home at 15303 Argyll Rd., Georgetown, where the couple will be staging a living room scene with available furniture under a big top tent in their driveway. It will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June 28 to 30, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 1. "I really want to give back," said Marsh. "I also want people to know that just because you're diag- nosed with diabetes, it doesn't mean it's the end." COMMUNITY GEORGETOWN MAN GIVING BACK AFTER NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey @metroland.com Georgetown resident Paul Marsh displays some of the vintage items he will have available at his charity sale this weekend. Melanie Hennessey/Torstar EVENT TO BENEFIT HALTON DIABETES PROGRAM ON THIS WEEKEND WHO DOES IT? Look for the RIGHTbusiness for the JOBWHO DOES IT?Professional Directory Deadline for Thursday's edition is Monday by 4pm THREE EASY WAYS TO SHOP. Floor and Home The One Store For Your Perfect Floor 26 Guelph St., Downtown Georgetown www.carpetone.ca http://carpetonegeorgetown.goldbook.ca 905-877-9896 CarPet, harDWooD, rUGs & tiLe 905-877-8990 VISIT OUR SHOWROOM! 118 Guelph St. (at Maple) ~ info@asghomecomfort.com SALES, SERVICE & INSTALLATION air, heatinG&FirePLaCe To advertise in this directory contact Kelli Kosonic 905-234-1018 or email kkosonic@theifp.ca bathroom renovations Cell: 416-989-7809 Dave LoDuca QUALITY BATHROOM RENOVATIONS C C T I L EE RAM I Gold 2018 Halton Hills CONTRACTOR - 7 years! Thanks for your support!