[Jsec64]

Ok People

Let me have your views if you would please and advice - I have applied for a DFG for my property and have been successful in part anyway.
That is to say that my property which is being altered to include wet room and driveway has been approved however, accessibility to my garden is not. I have been informed that this is a Grey Area[b].
My response maybe is just too simplistic in that this affects my general wellbeing and interaction and social activity with my family and friends etc.
I wasnt asking for a Garden Makeover just accessibility which amounted to approx £2k. Is this asking too much from a beaurecratic council. Me thinks not. Anyway I am asking for a formal response from them and a named contact for appeal.
I am paraplegic 3yrs now through an infection and not trauma which I'm mentioning because its had a massive financial impact on our family in so much as I am not in a position to claim damages etc. and receive an award, but the bills still seem to arrive. However, if we were in a better financial position I might have just said sod it and sorted it out myself. I feel aggrieved not just for me but for others who might not challenge such decsions.
Let me know your thoughts

John

[Lucydog]

where are you?

[Jsec64]

Lucydog, on Oct 2 2007, 03:10 PM, said:

where are you?

I am just outside of Brighton.

[Lucydog]

Well I can only tell you my experience becasue it is a grey area indeed and there is no obligation to provide you with access to your garden as this is not deemed a need. I know its crazy but there it is. However some councils will provide voluntary grants, but you need to ask.
If youve done all this then sorry if Im going over old ground....contact both your district council and county council, find out if they have an access officer or failing that an equality and diversity officer. It will be their job to know if any money is available. The council I work for offers access grants upt to £750, its not much but it helps, however this isnt a bottomless pot, its available first come, first served and when its gone its gone. If you havent already you should provide supporting evidence from an OT usually, or some other medical professional, this will help.
In the long run Im afraid I dont hold much hope about the garden Im afraid. The council I live in offers nothing at all, and every year I look at the few steps in my garden, think 'I must do something about that' and then of course bills roll in so I decide to do it 'next year'.

Ive only ever had diddly squat from my council, probably becasue Im incomplete they reckon I can manage...... oh but better be careful Im going into rant mode!Dont know if this has helped you one jot, but all I can say is keep asking, you might be lucky.

cheers
L

[Lee]

I looked into this also becaus all i need was a ramp so i could get in and out of the house myself. I was basically told, it takes that long then just pay for it your self. I was gobsmacked and rather anoyed. The lady said "i will just put down you are paying for it so your case will be closed but if you need help later then contact us" She was rather off and didnt give a hoot about i could not get in or out of the house and wasnt even aware if i lived alone or not. I should of pursued it but i had to pay for it myself by borrowing the money off family just so i could get in and out of the house alone and get some independance back. Go for it mate and dont give up like i did.

[Jsec64]

Thanks for that Lucy - My OT has been very good and has made a very detailed report for the original submission to panel.

I am still waiting for the Councils' official response but I have emailed my MP about this. I really do believe that this should be a fundemental right.
We buy a house because it suits our needs - the most expensive and important decsion of our lives. It is deemed that I present a high risk and need access to my driveway because of the Risks on entering and exiting the main road. Now the risks associated with me trying to get into the garden to join my family are high without this accessibility issue being addressed.
I am utterly disgusted - I know I'm not the only one with needs but what God given right does someone take the decision that my access needs to the garden is a non starter. They are not the one in the wheelchair. Without ranting too much it took me a year to even venture outside my house because I couldn't, and didn't want to socialise. Now that I am trying to, I cant even access my own property.
Arseholes !

[Chrisonwheels]

Difficult one, this.
I became a para in 2002 and it's cost me loads of money in moving and adapting the house, etc, etc...
I've had absolutely nothing from a DFG because it's means-tested. I work (I'm a teacher); it's bloody hard work as well and I earn every penny I make. I know some people will say that they can't (and in no way am I denying how hard it can be for some people, especially higher injuries), but it seems unfair in a way that DFGs are means-tested anyway. I'm not saying I'd have it another way because I get a hell of a lot from what I do (I'd never put up with the kids otherwise). But I'm still paying student loans from over 8 years ago and my garden is still very restrictive (I've been 20 metres down a 30-metre garden about 5 times in as many years).
I'm sorry, but I don't see why 'my taxes' should pay for your garden to get done when mine is still inaccessible.
It may be a matter of being grateful for what you can get for now to make your life liveable and then seeing how you can get what you want with grants from charities, etc, as time passes.
I mean this with nothing but goodwill; a garden is a luxury for most people in this world, disability or not.

This post has been edited by Chrisonwheels: 03 October 2007 - 10:57 PM

[Jsec64]

Hi Chris
I accept what your saying to a point - but for me, the issue is someone telling anyone of us that a there is a way of adapting your property through this DFG process. Means tested or not.
Then a panel sit and decide a particular aspect of the submission (in my case the garden), is not mandatory. They have no understanding of the practicalities of what it means for anyone of us with SCI, garden or not. Meaning also that they dont have to adapt this area because of financial reasons. Then, to tell me in the same breath that the DFG is to empower individuals like us to have access within the community etc etc but not to have accessibility within our own property is a mockery of the system, and an insult. If the Risk Assesment shows that my bathroom should be altered due to the risk of falling, and then in the same report to highlight the current risk should I try to tackle getting into my garden, surely shows that the the local council representive has highlighted a Risk, which in turn is not being met through choice. That surely is a H&S issue - is it not - irrespective of DFG, means testing etc.
This is what grips me!!! I have never relied on anyone for anything and have served my country well. It took me well over a year to venture outside my home because of my mental state. This affected my family greatly as well as me, and has obviously restricted our leisure time together. I was and remain nervous of socialising because of my disability - but that's my problem. I'm trying to tackle it.
I would love to be in a situation whereby I was financially independent from the state and I could sort this out on my own. However, I suspect I'm not the only one with similar problems like this and it is for this reason that I will challenge their decision.
I do appreciate you comments and sentiment though Chris.
Kind Regards
John