Disabled Man Feels Let Down At Housing Delay

Hi Martin, while I agree in principle that if they’ve offered you a couple of somewheres you should be less inclined to complain but I’d be overjoyed if the council where I live in Bedfordshire would even let me bid on a bungalow anywhere. I am 36years old and have inherited (rife in my family) degenerative spine disease, lived in this first floor flat with no lift for over three years and am STILL waiting to see a spinal surgeon so I’ll know what can be done for me, since diagnosis Feb 2010 I’ve been passed from pillar to post and am now waiting for my June appointment in Hertfordshire – my mobility has been compromised since a back injury 2005. This flat was the only secure place I could find that would take Housing Benefit after fleeing my last place from domestic violence – I’ve suffered noise nuisance from the people upstairs for nearly 18months which the council have agreed is excessive but the flats are like matchboxes on top of the other with no soundproofing so nothing can be done. Even with these issues and despite involvement from my local MP and a social worker (from whom I was discharged after three months), I’ve been told that I have to be over 55yrs or mentally ill to be allowed to bid on a disabled-adapted bungalow and that they can’t bend the rules for anyone. If I lived in a bungalow I could use a wheelchair – that would help massively with the problems I have with Fibromyalgia and ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) that have manifested as a result of the degenerative spine disease going undiagnosed for 4 years, following the injury 2005. I use a stick to get about but it causes as much pain in my hands, arms, neck and shoulders as it does help me. I feel in grave danger of ending up mentally ill – I have severe clinical depression and with little chance of improving my situation I fear any potential hope I had to become a tax payer and use my brain again is all in vain. I do actually feel sometimes as if I am going mad – with frustration, anger and sadness. If the establishment could only support me – so I could live in peace, have my back op (don’t even want to think about what will happen to me if that goes wrong, don’t know how I’ll cope after the op with them upstairs) all things being well I will recover then get myself back to school for A-Levels and a degree in English Language. I know it will take me longer than someone who is healthy to get on that path but I’ve got no chance with things the way they are! I’m a qualified Painter & Decorator, I’ve also worked in IT Project Support – I’d earned money, paid tax and chosen where to live when I was healthy – my mind is all I have left and I feel as if they are sacrificing it to some evil greedy deity that only heartless monsters worship. I want to be a teacher, in English and Humanities/ Personal&Social Education. I can’t climb a ladder anymore but physically disabled people CAN be teachers, I’ve got to remain positive but as you know it’s really difficult! If you know of any other ways I can try to get through to these people please Martin I’d be really grateful for the heads up and the benefit of your experience! I do hope Mr&Mrs Byers find the home they’d like – I’d be happy for a war veteran to get a place to live ahead of me (how difficult things are for them is disgusting too) but this marginalisation of young disabled people like me and your son, by silly rules that make no sense, is not helping the fabric of society to be stitched back together! Proper support turns vulnerable unhappy people into empowered and happy people that potentially have so much to give back to society. If I had a quid for every time I’ve been told if I had dependants they could help me, I’d be sitting pretty. I do however know that having children just pushes you one step up onto a minimum of 2-5year waiting list! What sticks in my craw is I’m infertile – so I feel I’m being further discriminated against! They have an Elder Persons Village in Birmingham – you must have your own idea of Utopia for where you live – I say what about a Wheelers Vale for disabled single childless people aged 18-54 years in Luton? When will the establishment take secure and dedicated steps towards helping us? I’m afraid I don’t know that, until then all we have is each other. GodBless x

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