Clearwater, Fla. (WFLA) – A clearwater woman who is paraplegic said she was unsure about receiving a certified letter from a homeowner’s association lawyer who accused her of misusing 911.
The letter came after asking for multiple help when the elevator in her building broke down.
Maria Avderas, who lived in the “world” for three years, said there was no other way to get in and out of the third floor apartment just to call 911 when the elevator was down.
“I’m T11-12 paraplegia, 35 years,” Avdelas said. “The condition will not change anytime soon. I need that elevator for basic transport up and down to the apartment.”
Avdelas said that if the elevator goes out, there will be no safe alternatives or support from the building.
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Earlier this month, she received a certificate from an attorney at the HOA accusing her of abusing emergency services.
Attached to the letter is an internal email from the eu during the Clearwater Fire, shared by the HOA with Avdelas, warning that responders are physically tense due to repeated non-emergency calls.
Deputy Director John Klinefelter, with Clearwater Fire Rescue, spoke to the 8 on your side, saying the department wants support but the phone calls are at the expense of it.
“Obviously, it’s a difficult situation to have the elevator broken,” Klinefelter said. “Obviously, management companies want to lock in elevators so they can help those residents. But in the meantime, if they can find them, I would like to know that other ways and other sources will help them, or limit the frequency of going up and down stairs or leaving the condo.”
Avdelas said the letter felt more like a threat than a solution.
“That’s embarrassing. I don’t want to call the fire department,” she said. “I don’t want four guys to come and have to wind me up on the stairs… I just want to walk my life like everyone else.”
Clearwater Fire Rescue said they would like to see lasting changes to raise issues at the HOA and ensure that the elevators stay well.
8 Your side 8 reached out to the HOA lawyer for comment but received no reply.
Avdelas said he has already filed a formal complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). She is still waiting for a resolution.
