Disabled woman (77) stranded in flat for SIX weeks
A DISABLED pensioner was marooned in her Hucknall flat for SIX WEEKS – and has now been barred from using her mobility scooter.
Evelyn Roussel says she has been "stripped of her independence" in a series of rows centred on the flat.
She has lived for eight years at the Titchfield Court warden-aided complex, off Watnall Road, run by Ashfield Homes on behalf of Ashfield District Council.
The 77-year-old is crippled by osteoarthritis and cannot walk more than a few yards. She relies on a mobility scooter to get around.
But she was left stranded in her flat while a lift was replaced at the complex.
She couldn't even get her scooter out of the building to visit local shops and had to rely on her daughter, Celia Roussel, to carry out day-to-day errands.
Worse was to follow because, after the lift was repaired, she was told that the scooter could not be used in it because of a problem with "weight distribution".
Now, in another twist, she says she has been given until Tuesday October 20 to get rid of the scooter altogether and is not even allowed to store it on the ground floor.
It is claimed the scooter could be a health and safety hazard.
Evelyn told the Dispatch: "To say I am annoyed about this would be very mild.
"I feel it is so unfair. I feel like I am being penalised because I am less mobile than other people.
"Of all the people in the complex, I am usually one of the most independent. When I have my scooter, I can do everything myself. But without it, I would be stuck."
Evelyn has used a mobility scooter for about 11 years. She says it has never been a problem at the complex before.
"My osteoarthritis is now a lot worse than when I moved in," said Evelyn, who is a mum-of-four. "I am on massive doses of painkillers.
"If anything goes wrong, Ashfield Homes are good about coming out and doing repairs. But you do not get the impression that anyone is really interested in you."
Evelyn's fight for independence has been taken up by Celia, who lives on nearby Shortwood Avenue.
Celia says problems started when the lift was replaced three days earlier than planned. She was on holiday in Spain and couldn't help her mum.
She says the idea that the scooter cannot be used in the lift is ridiculous and is against Ashfield Homes's pledge to enable people to live independently.
Celia says she has secured an electric wheelchair for her mum to use inside the complex. But this is not suitable for outdoors and the mobility scooter is vital.
She fears her mum could lose her tenancy if she does not abide by Ashfield Homes's ruling.
Now she is planning to enlist the help of Hucknall's Labour MP, Paddy Tipping, to fight the case.
A spokesman for Ashfield Homes said that before the lift was replaced in August, residents of Titchfield Court were consulted and where requested, support measures were put in place.
He added that during the work, there was regular dialogue with Evelyn's daughter and as a result, a "care package was implemented".
He claimed Evelyn confirmed that she was satisfied with these arrangements and advised Ashfield Homes that the scooter would be removed from the premises.
Kelly Scott, asistant director of housing services at Ashfield Homes said: "We are satisfied that there was necessary consultation and arrangements in place prior to the works commencing and that the tenant's daughter acknowledged she was happy with these arrangements.
"We will continue to work with Ms Roussel and her family to reach a satisfactory conclusion to this matter."
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Weather for Hucknall
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
