Paraplegic Florida woman accused of misusing 911 says elevator breakdowns left her trapped

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida woman who is paraplegic was stunned to receive a certified letter from her homeowner's association’s (HOA) attorney accusing her of misusing the 911 hotline.

The letter came after multiple calls for help when the elevator in her building was out of order.

Maria Avdelas, who has lived at the On Top of the World retirement community in Clearwater for three years, said she only calls 911 when the elevator is down and she has no other way to get to or from her third-floor apartment.

“I am T11-12 paraplegic, 35 years now,” Avdelas said. “That condition is not going to change any time soon. I need that elevator for basic transportation up and down to my apartment.”

She added that when the elevator goes out, she’s left with no safe alternative and no assistance from the building.

Earlier this month, Avdelas received a certified letter from the HOA’s attorney accusing her of abusing emergency services.

Attached to that letter was an internal email from a Clearwater fire lieutenant, shared with Avdelas by the HOA, warning that responders were being physically strained by repeated non-emergency calls.

Deputy Chief John Klinefelter with Clearwater Fire Rescue told Nexstar's WFLA that the department wants to help, but the calls are taking a toll.

“It's a tough situation, obviously, with a broken elevator,” Klinefelter said. “We would like to see, obviously, the management company get the elevator fixed, to, you know, be able to assist those residents.

Until it's fixed, the deputy fire chief suggested that residents find "other ways or other sources" for help getting up to their apartments, or "just limit how often they're leaving the condo."

Avdelas said the letter felt more like a threat than a solution.

“It’s embarrassing. I don’t want to call the fire department,” she said. “I don’t want four guys to come and have to hoist me up the stairs. … I just want to go about my life like everybody else.”

Clearwater Fire Rescue said they’ve raised the issue with the HOA and hope to see lasting changes to ensure the elevator stays in working order.

WFLA also reached out to the HOA’s attorney for comment but has not heard back.

Avdelas, meanwhile, has already filed a formal complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which oversees condo boards and investigates violations. She’s still waiting on a resolution.