www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 28, 2007 - 3 Family in danger of losing everything Continued from page 1 "I can't see my daughters growing," he said, his blank eyes welling up with tears. His daughters, Jessica, Rebecca and Sarah, are ages two, four and six. "I can't see (them) growing strong they become happy, but I can't see," said Moses, sitting in a third floor hospital lounge, his white cane, which guided him down the hall, folded on his lap. Rewind five years, and he and wife Gloria Lee had just bought Lee's Milk Plus on North Service Road. The pair operated the store 14 hours a day, seven days a week to provide for their family. Today, the Lee-Hans no longer own or operate the local convenience store. They were forced to sell it at a loss two weeks ago on April 12, which is also Moses' birthday because they can't run it and take care of the kids while he's in hospital. "After they sold the store, there's no income right now," explained the translator, who did not want her name revealed. "They sold the store and it only paid off the debt. Now they have no income, no money." The medical bills are covered, but the Lee-Hans can't pay the mortgage on their recently purchased townhouse. This downward spiral all started when Moses bit into a piece of bread last year. "He bit into something hard in the bread and it started an infection from the inside," the translator explained. By the time Moses visited the dentist, the bacterial infection had spread. This caused an abscessed tooth, which means bacteria spread around and under the tooth, and puss was unable to drain. If an abscessed tooth isn't treated quickly enough, the infection spreads and can be life-threatening. "Everything was very hurt and sore," the translator said. "He couldn't eat, he couldn't drink his water." Moses, who motioned to his neck and jaw to show how bad the swelling became, was then taken to hospital, given medication and recommended to another dentist. Things did improve briefly, but the pain started again and landed him in the emergency ward for a second time. "I don't remember much from hospital. I was very tired," Moses said. "My sister said maybe you'll die Want to help? Here's how you can help: Munn's United Church is hosting a spaghetti fundraiser for the Lee-Han family on Saturday, May 26. There are three sittings for 100 people each at 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Munn's Church is located at 5 Dundas St. E. A minimum $10 donation per person is required at the fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the Lee-Han family to help get them back on their feet. The meal includes spaghetti, caesar salad, buns, a drink, desserts and coffee. Those who can't make the fundraiser and want to support the family can donate to a trust fund that has been created: LeeHan Family in Trust. Donations are accepted at any Scotiabank Branch. The account number is 00752 0189987. because my body is very bad in hospital." The infection could have spread to his brain, his wife explained. "Whole body," Gloria said, tears in her eyes. There were two operations to rid and drain the infection. The first saw four of Moses' teeth removed on the right side of his mouth. He has two scars from operation number one, one on his cheek, one just below his jaw, which Gloria pointed out. That was back in January. Later that month, "I had tubes," Moses said, pulling his shirt up to reveal scars just below his rib cage on either sides of his body. The tubes, Gloria explained, were to "get (the) infection out." "After they finished the operation they took him to Sunnybrook hospital, because his eyes (were) getting worse," the translator said. "He was starting to see something in his eyes." In late January, Moses' world went black. "When I came to the hospital the doctor said, `You can see zero per cent,'" Moses said. "Doctor said, you can't ever see." It's hard to explain what life is like after things take such a sudden and definite turn, Moses said. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER UNCERTAIN FUTURE AHEAD: Moses Han, his wife Gloria Lee, and their two-year-old daughter, Jessica, walk down the hallway together at the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Community rallies around family Oakville is rallying around the Lee-Han family. After the owners of Lee's Milk Plus on North Service Road had to sell the store their sole income when Moses Han's rare tooth infection spread and cost him his eyesight, people are stepping up to help out. With no regular income, a mortgage to pay and three young daughters to support, Oakville has responded to the Lee-Han family's sudden need. Ward 5 Councillor Marc Grant, along with friends and neighbours of the Lee-Han family, the Oakville Firefighters' Association, the Salvation Army and the congregation at Munn's United Church have arranged a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on May 26. "All we're trying to do here is make sure this family gets back on their feet," said Grant. "Here's a hard-working family, who, through no fault of their own, finds themselves close to the street. We want to make sure this doesn't happen." The councillor got wind of the family's situation when retired local firefighter Dave Sayer brought it to his attention. Sayer, who lives in the neighbourhood, helped out the family by working at Lee's Milk for a few months while they were in need. "Everybody that came to the store, once I was there, they understood the severity of the problem," Sayer said. "The community has really been trying to help out because they're very well-liked, the kind of people you have to like. "Not once have I heard them complain, or ever lose their faith. They're pretty strong people." Despite the family and community's best efforts, the Lee-Hans had to sell their store on April 12. Now in a position with no income, three young daughters to feed and a mortgage to pay, the Lee-Hans need help. This isn't usual for Moses Han and Gloria Lee, who Sayer says were both training to be missionaries in order to help others. "They're not people that are used to taking from the system, they're used to giving," he said. "These people, they will be back on their feet. It will probably surprise everybody how quick they get back on their feet. They're just strong people, they'll bounce back, they just need a little help." Munn's Church has volunteered space for next month's fundraiser, and will provide homemade spaghetti, caesar salad, a bun, drinks, dessert and coffee. Sayer says among the things the family needs is daycare for the three young girls, ages two, four and six. "When Moses comes home from the hospital, it's a new life, being blind," he said. "It would be nice if there was a little bit of daycare there to help out." See Father page 4 · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High Quality at Affordable Prices · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Service Authorized Vinylbilt Dealer www.shuttersetc.ca Shop at Home Service FREE