Are the disabled being forced off Langley?
A man born and bred on the Langley estate says he is being forced to move to another area because Riverside, the company now running the estate, have told him there are only TWO bungalows adapted to cater for the needs of disabled people on the whole of the estate.
The man, aged 47, who calls himself 'Megaton' on Middletonia's chat forum posted this comment on the board;
DO NOT!! become disabled on Langley!!! (Bowlee park/riverside?)
They want you off the estate! only 2 disabled bungalows?!!
I was BORN on Langley. (home birth) 47 years ago and never left.
went to St Marys infant and junior school.
then Bishop marshall's, (same as my bros and sisters before me)
I'm having to look at other places to live!!!!! (leaving Langley)
I contacted Megaton regarding the post and he tells me this apparently seems to be the case and predicament he is personally facing and if there are only two suitable properties of this nature, he certainly can't be the only one by a long stretch.
Megaton, who suffers from the crippling condition, cerebellar ataxia says, "We've been fighting them for ages. One minute you've got to be over 60 to qualify for a bungalow, then other excuses. They have PDA's (partially disabled adapted) but they don't care and won't listen to you! The Social services do the adaptations but it seems Riverside won't pay to do it, or do they just want to get rid of anybody disabled? I've got letters from the doctor, the OT, plus more letters! I've broken so many bones, the nurses know me in the fracture clinic on first name terms. I can't even get down the garden path. I really have no choice but to start looking for the home I need in another area."
Megaton's partner is also frustrated with seemingly getting nowhere. She says, "There are two purpose built bungalows on the estate and they are occupied by 2 disabled couples. Other bungalows (like the new 2 bed bungalows) which are also occupied now are for people 60 years and over and disablement does not come into it according Riverside. That's their policy so I have been told. We cannot even be put on their re-housing list because we are not 60, so it looks like we will have to move off the Langley estate where my partner was born and our family and friends are. I was previously told that the new 2 bed bungalows had no age restriction and they are partially disabled adapted and they had trouble allocating them, but now we are told 60 and over, so someone is lying."
Middletonia e-mailed Riverside directly to offer them the opportunity to comment on this situation and confirm if this is indeed the case, that there is nothing at all available for Megaton and his family, and surely lots of others. We were promised a full response within a few days. In the meantime the couple, who have asked not to be named, did receive a visit from Riverside regarding their needs. The visitor asked what the couple needed and said they had e-mailed social services and were awaiting a reply.
Megaton's partner said, "They asked if we needed a 2 bed bungalow and what adaptations we needed in it and said they would get back to us as soon as they can."
It was in fact 10 days later that Middletonia received Riverside's response from Paul Wilson stating;
"We always want to help residents and have discussed this matter with a resident at Langley and visited them on 3 July. At this meeting they explained that they would like to be offered one of the sixteen two bedroom bungalows on the estate when one of these properties becomes empty, a request we have agreed.
We have also agreed to contact their Occupational Therapist about the issue of adaptations to their existing home. I hope this brings this matter to a successful conclusion and that this answers your question".
The couple received a letter the same day saying pretty much the same but although it seems to be looking up a little for them, they are not really much further than before.
As Mrs 'M' explains, "The visitor didn't seem to be listening to us and went on about the new bungalows saying when one of these properties becomes empty and has level access we will offer it to you. They have only been occupied about 12 months if that. I dont think anyone is going to move out of them in the near future. I am trying to get through to them that any 2 bed bungalow will do. It doesn't have to be a new one but apart from the 16 new bungalows, there are only one bedroom ones elsewhere so it looks like we will wait years anyway which is no good. We have been asking for a bungalow for over 12 months now. We cannot wait years for a bungalow as my partner is disabled and is struggling with the stairs. We cannot stay here much longer."
Riversides website is bursting at the seams with how fantastic they are, how many awards they have, their "Disability Equality Duty" and all manner of responsibilities they claim to abide by but this doesn't seem to be the picture being painted here on Langley.
Mrs 'M' has also been trying to get an e-mail through to Deborah Shackleton, Chief Executive of Riverside, who was recently in the Guardian for receiving a CBE for her work from Prince Charles, and also Janine Goodison who's address is in the disability section of Riverside's website but has had no word from either at the time of writing.
In the couple of weeks of putting this article together and awaiting Riversides response, Megaton has had several falls and as well as plates in his ankle and elbow, he now suffers dislocated and broken fingers.
The couple have now set up a Facebook group, "Middleton Together", in the hope that Middleton as well as Langley people will show their support and shame Riverside into allowing them, and other families to be able to stay where they love and want to be, as they always have. Is anybody else facing the same prospects? E-mail me here at colette@middletonia.co.uk
July 09
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