No chance of an independent life (From Barry And District News)

No chance of an independent life

A disabled Barry woman's wish for an independent life has been thwarted because of a lack of suitable accommodation.

Wheelchair-bound Lisa Madigan, 26, of Hannah Street, has to rely on the support of her partner Martin Blackmore, 34, to help her go to the toilet and move around her home because of the design of the property where she lives.

Martin Blackmore said: "It is completely unsuitable for Lisa.

"There is large step down to the kitchen and a large step in the front doorway which means that Lisa cannot live her life independently. She cannot leave the house on her own. It is so frustrating for her.

"The bathroom door and the front door are so narrow that the wheelchair can barely pass through. It is a tight squeeze. Lisa has to sleep downstairs and can only use the downstairs of the house because there is no chairlift."

Martin added: "I am not blaming the housing association, it is the Vale council's policy for housing the disabled that makes me angry.

"We were referred to the housing association by the council because they had nothing available for us.

"We have been told there is a grant system in place to provide necessary improvements. The assessor has told us our property is not suitable for modification because the structural changes involved would be major. The costs would simply be too great.

"It seems to me there is a severe lack of council accommodation for disabled people in the Vale of Glamorgan."

A council spokesman said: "The council acknowledges that, with the majority of the housing stock being built in the immediate post-war period and the Right To Buy legislation having an obvious impact on available property, it does not have a supply of properties already adapted for people with disabilities.

"Any issues in relation to adaptations to the couple's current home would need to be addressed with the housing association."