Homeowners association OKs playhouse for sick girl, 6, after dad appeals to court of public opinion
A 6-year-old Missouri girl can’t leave her home to play with other children in her neighborhood because she is seriously ill with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
So the little girl, Ella Joe Schultz, dreamed of having a playhouse in her back yard. Make-A-Wish Missouri, with the help of donated materials and labor from the J.E. Dunn construction company, planned to give it to her, reports the Kansas City Star.
However, permission was required from the board of directors of the Stonegate Homeowners Association. The group initially denied approval, citing rules against sheds and other exterior structures in the Raymore community and saying that more information was needed about the planned structure.
The girl’s father, Pete Schultz, then appealed to the court of public opinion, resulting in widespread criticism of the board’s decision.
“They won’t let you build you anything in here,” a neighbor who declined to identify himself told the Kansas City Star, noting that “We all knew the rules when we moved in here. That said, that little girl should get her house.”
On Thursday, the Stonegate association agreed.
“Today, we are happy to share that we have reached a positive resolution to ensure Ella’s playhouse will be constructed,” says a written statement provided to the newspaper. “Our board met with J.E. Dunn Construction and Make-a-Wish to gather additional information, and, while we still have a few details and timelines to work out, we collectively reached the conclusion that Ella will get her wish.”
