A family in Letham on the outskirts of Perth are struggling to live in a house that has not had mobility adaptations made despite it being 10 weeks since a man’s discharge from Perth Royal Infirmary.
Kenny Fisken has had both his legs amputated following years of kidney failure.
But he did not get home from hospital to a house that was ready for him after the life-changing procedure.
Rushed out of PRI on August 4, there was no care package. Carers only began visiting last week.
For nine weeks Kenny did not get a shower as his wife Dawn could not manage the task alone.
Kenny has told Dawn some days he is “near giving up”.
Even a trip outside to get some air is beyond inconvenient, even dangerous.
The property at Cluny Terrace has not got an adequate wheelchair ramp.
To get him outside, Kenny’s wife pushes his wheelchair over a wooden door laid atop a metal ‘temporary’ ramp that is steep-angled and too short.
Sodden carpets have been placed around in an attempt to stop the wheels sinking into the gravel.
“The door has bust at the bottom because it’s got warped in the rain,” said Dawn.
“Kenny got stuck the other day. It’s humiliating for both of us.
“He needs to get to an ambulance to go for dialysis three times a week.”
Dawn and Kenny have been living for 20 years at the house rented from Perth and Kinross Council with their daughter Meghan, who has mental disabilities.
They do not want to move but the unmodified house is now “sheer hell” for Kenny.
Believing something would be done if their case was highlighted in the papers, Dawn spoke to the PA in August.
Then, as now, Perth and Kinross Council said it could not comment on individual cases.
Dawn said: “The poor man didn’t get a shower for nine weeks. I was left to help him as best I could on my own.
“Before, the council insisted we’d have to move. Now we’ve been told we might get an extension with a wet room, but the housing team has not said anything for sure.
“The carers come now, but too late in the day to suit Kenny.
“When they get in at 11.30am he’s lost interest in going outside. If he’s going to go and get some air, it would need to be around 9am, after his breakfast.
“He’s not keen to go through the push-pull of getting his chair into the garden.
“I’ve spent £15 on carpets to try and get the wheels through the stones, but it’s hopeless.
“I’m making the best of things but when you have to make a tight turn and push him up over a ramp made from a wooden door, you ask who’s looking out for us? What’s happened to our dignity?”
Perth and Kinross Council sent a statement after the PA pressed for news on what could be done for the Fiskens.
The statement read: “We want to ensure residents receive the care and support they need to live independently upon discharge from hospital as we know what a difficult time this can be for them and their families.
“Unfortunately, due to high levels of demand experienced local and nationally, families are sometimes asked to provide support while appropriate care is arranged.
“We work with all families who require care to meet their needs and provide suitable accommodation, whether through adapting properties or, if necessary, finding alternative accommodation.”
