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Original poster

I have bitten the bullet and contacted the local press...

66 replies

SleepyJess · 06/03/2006 14:56

..about out housing situation. Last time I 'reported' on here we had had a reply from out MP who was appalled by my description how we have to cope in our blatantly unsuitable house (re DS2's disability). He was going to contact the housing assoc.'s director. That was in early Dec. We have heard nothing since. I have contacted his office but appears they have not had a response to his letter.

In the menatime we have had another comprehensive assessment by a different soc. services OT and altered out requirements a bit (ie that we would be willing to accept a house with a downstairs room that we could make into a bedroom for DS.. and also widened the area in which wew would accept a house.. which is now a 35-30 mile radius) and this has all been sent on over a month ago to the HA. They don't respond to my calls though.. or actually, I don't get further than the receptionist.

I have done what everyone has been telling me to do for ages (people on here.. health professionals, friends, family etc) and emailed the local paper. Can't bring myself to contact the local TV newsdesk... too too cringeable. Am balking at the thought of the local paper etc round here.. but I can't watch Alex suffering anymore. We are ALL suffering.. but Alex can WALK with a walker! But there is no room for a walker in the house! He gets so frustrated and upset and being penned in between gates all the time.

She (lady at the paper) has just emailed me back asking for phone number (altho I HAD included it) but I have to do school run so will probably miss hercall.. bugger.

Will keep you posted.

SJ x

OP posts:
chonky · 10/03/2006 08:03

LOL at Coppertop :o

SJ, wishing you lots of luck for the outcome of tonight's meeting, and the article. Sock it to 'em :)

Original poster
SleepyJess · 10/03/2006 19:34

Goodness gracious me!!! It wasn't free tickets to a local footy game..... Shock.. it was this...! The photographer a retained fireman, (as well as ALREADY being a complete hero as far as my kids are concerned, lol!).. wants to start an appeal to raise money to have the house we are in extended/altered to suit Alex!!! Shock Shock

Obviously before we can proceed we have to get the permisson of the housing association because if they refuse to keep us on the transfer list once this starts going ahead, then if they DON'T meet the target, we would would left with no transfer and no extension. Whereas if we got an offer of a more suitable house/bungalow DURING the process (having been kept on the transfer list) then the money would be used for necessary adaptions for the new house/laminate floor (for his wheelchair) etc etc.

I am blown away!! He has already contacted people such as the England cricket captain, who is interested and wants to help, plus someone involved with the England football team and Newcastle Utd! This guy has done this type of thing quite a lot and just rings up people like Princess Ann and Richard Branson Shock and gets them involved in his appeals!!

So of course we have agreed! We love the area we are in.. and our house would be fine if we had downstairs bed and bath facilities for Alex, plus laminate flooring etc.. but the HA told us ages ago that they couldn't extend as Alexs' needs could not be met by the grant amount which would be allowed. The idea of this appeal would be to raise the rest on top of the grant.

Suddenly I don't feel like scum of the earth for having contacted the paper in the first place.. apparently everyone is up in arms about out situation (find this all so hard to take on board.. am imagining The Alex Appeal (!) with a sense of unreality!!)

Will keep you posted. It depends now on the HA's agreement (or lack of it) re keeping us on the transfer list if the appeal goes ahead.

SJ x

OP posts:
chonky · 10/03/2006 19:40

wow SJ - that is FANTASTIC news!! Do keep us all posted :) :) :)

Saker · 10/03/2006 19:45

Good for you! Fantastic news. You should be really proud.

ScummyMummy · 10/03/2006 19:50

Excellent, Sj. That's brilliant news.

Ellbell · 10/03/2006 20:32

SJ... What a wonderful person. I am quite choked on your behalf. You were so right to contact the paper (though you know this is BOUND to make the TV news too now, don't you...?).

You so deserve this. I've got everything crossed for you...

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 10/03/2006 20:36

oh wow SJ - that's fantastic news - you must keep us updated on this one!! Grin

Original poster
SleepyJess · 10/03/2006 21:20

Oh God.. don't say that Ellbell.. Shock. The article that will appear in next Thursday's paper will make no mention of the 'appeal'; it will just be a report of the circumstances.. as they won't go ahead with anything until they have assurances from the HA that we can stay on the transfer list.

I am still telling myself that this is not the type of thing that the local tv news will be interested in.

OP posts:
Original poster
SleepyJess · 10/03/2006 21:21

(Thanks all) :)

OP posts:
coppertop · 10/03/2006 21:25

That's absolutely amazing news! What a lovely man too. :):):):):)

buzylizy · 10/03/2006 22:12

so pleased for you all.:o:o

Ellbell · 10/03/2006 22:28

No, no, sweetie. The Shock will be when Alex appears on the news saying 'bugger'! GrinGrinGrinGrin (You know how he'd enjoy embarrassing you like that!) Anyway, my view is that you should do what it takes! But hopefully it won't be necessary, as the HA will pull their fingers out and get you some appropriate housing.

Vix34 · 11/03/2006 08:29

Hi SJ, just wanted to pop in and add some good luck wishes for the news article and the housing needs. I have read through all of the thread and was laughing and crying at the same time, now I feel soft Blush..

Sorry ladies this if my first ever post on here due to not being able to work out how to Sad

Vix x

Pip · 11/03/2006 08:54

SJ, just read this thread, what an amazing story, it sounds like you´re on your way to getting what you deserve. The photographer sounds so kind. Really pleased for you and really glad you took the plunge. Well done x

BudaBabe · 11/03/2006 09:30

No wonder you hit the wine last night SJ! What a great man that photographer is. Fingers crossed for all of you that you get all you deserve and need for your family.

Hope the head's not too sore this morning!!

charliecat · 11/03/2006 09:44

I have just read this from top to bottom hoping it had a happy ending..and it does :):):) Hope things move quickly for you :)

arfissimo · 11/03/2006 09:51

Oh my word. How fantastic! I'm so pleased, he sounds like a fantastic guy and I think you deserve whatever he raises for you.

arfissimo · 11/03/2006 09:52

Meant that to be 'achieves' for you.

Twiglett · 11/03/2006 10:46

wow .. brought tears to my eyes

good for him .. good for you

sometimes there are good people Grin

batters · 11/03/2006 11:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SleepyJess · 11/03/2006 14:34

Thank you all :) Will continue to keep you posted and maybe (if it's not too cringable) try to link to an online version of the 'story' in next Thursday's local paper.

SJ x

OP posts:
waterfalls · 12/03/2006 15:27

Wow, what a wonderful man..............is he single ny any chance?GrinGrin

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 12/03/2006 16:02

SJ - just wanted to add my voice to this. I was stunned by what you have to cope with. And, like everyone else, really moved by what the photographer is doing for you. What a wonderful man. The kind of person who really matters, going about his job, working hard, and making a difference. Being a soppy old thing he's brought a tear to my eye.

sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 16:16

wow!! I know how you feel about being in an unsuitable house, I have two children with CP and our house atm isn't suitable for them, we are moving soon into a 4 bed house, which has wider doors and downstair loo etc.
The photographer has made me smile for you, what a great man!!

Original poster
SleepyJess · 16/03/2006 15:01

The article went in today. It is ok. I will try to provide I link to it by some means later.

SJ x

OP posts: