By Fahad Tariq
An Ayrshire mum says she’s stuck in housing hell as her disabled daughter is unable to shower at home and is forced to visit a leisure facility just to wash.
Mum-of-four Lisa Garrity, 38, told Glasgow Live last year that the flat she shared with partner David Waddell and children – including 11-year-old Kelsi who has multiple health conditions – was unsuitable for her daughter’s needs.
The family were left having to carry wheelchair user Kelsi up concrete steps just to get to the upper-level home on Catherine Drive, in Galston. Following our story, they were moved into temporary accommodation – a three-bed house in the same area.
However, since then Lisa has faced another dilemma as Kelsi, who suffers from cerebral palsy, scoliosis and chronic lung disease, is unable to get upstairs to use the family bathroom.
Instead, Lisa takes Kelsi to Loudoun leisure centre twice a week, just so that she can shower. The mum has described the house as a “shoebox”, saying there is not enough space for the children’s toys, Kelsi’s food and medical equipment – or to have carers come in to help with her care.
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She says East Ayrshire Council have a four to five-bedroom “dream home” available for the family but it requires an extension which would give Kelsi her own bedroom and wet room. However, she claims that no contractor has yet been tasked with completing the job, meaning she has no idea when they can actually move into the property.
Lisa, who is also grieving the tragic loss of a baby boy who was stillborn at 16 weeks in May this year, told Glasgow Live: “This house has got an upstairs bathroom, but, with Kelsi’s condition and her having a spinal operation, she can’t be lifted up and down the stairs.
“Taking her to the leisure centre to shower is a lot of hassle for both of us. She keeps getting worked up and is having seizures.
“It’s not been long since my stillbirth so my physical health isn’t the best – my mental health isn’t either. With everything that’s happened, I could do with a hand from the council to make things easier. The extension work, which is going to take at least another three months, hasn’t even started yet. They keep palming me off.”
Kelsi underwent a spinal operation last August but “it wasn’t the success I thought it would be”, says Lisa.
The mum added: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see her like this. She deserves a better quality of life and to have a space she can call her own. She deserves to have showering facilities.
“I just want a house my children could call home and not have to move them from pillar to post. Kelsi has been through enough in her life. I am not asking for a miracle and have been really patient. If they could get me into my new house I would be quite happy.”
East Ayrshire Council are unable to provide a date for completion of the extension work but say that they “recognise the urgency of the situation”.
A spokesperson added: “East Ayrshire Council is aware of the family circumstances and the difficulties experienced within the existing property.
“The council cannot currently provide a date for completion but recognises the urgency of the situation and is working to move the family to their new home at the earliest opportunity.
“Housing Services and East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership continue to engage with the family in the interim and will provide an update to the family about their new home when this is available.”
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