The Coletta Family

Hi, my name is Patrick Coletta. I have been a Union Bricklayer for over 30yrs. BAC Local 2 Detroit MI. I am a proud father of two boys. Michael 22yrs old and Matthew 20yrs old. Both were brought up through the BAC brotherhood and family. Matthew is a third year BAC apprentice and excelling in every aspect of the refractory trade. I know my brothers in the field will always look out for him. That comforts me now in a way that I can not put to words. Very thankful for that. Michael was also a BAC apprentice when he was 19. Michael has a mental illness that hospitalized him when he was 19. I have close friends and contractors that helped me through those hard times. My dear friend, Raul Zamarron, helped me with our Member Assistance Program. I had to become Michael’s legal guardian because he is unable to support himself. We have been trying to get disability with the help of Mark Aiello. In the four years, we have appealed 5 times. I am told this is our last appeal and it is at a federal level. It’s just that Michael is so young and mental illness conditions are not talked about enough. My family now has a history of mental illness and I am not ashamed to talk about it. Unfortunately, Michael was diagnosed before his mother. She has spent the last 10 days seeking treatment. I have been to the disability office and they tell me I can not add any of what is happening now to his case. It could be two years before they decide. Mark says it doesn’t look good. We will appeal again and again. I am so proud of my boys the way they have handled themselves the past few years. Matthew will eventually become Michael’s guardian and he will take care of his brother when I am gone. I know they will be fine. Right now tho, we are asking for help. I have shattered my left heel and having surgery April 24th. It is bad too. I won’t be able to put any weight on it for 6months. Have to be careful to make sure it heals correctly or they have to take it. If all goes good with surgery on the 24th, I will be able to have my neck fusion surgery on May 9th. I have always been able to provide for my boys and now I can’t. I have also been too proud or stubborn to ask for help. Always try to do it myself. I am proud of my family and not ashamed to talk about it, if ya want to listen, about a hell of a family.

Thank you,

Michael, Matthew and Patrick