A disabled woman has been left forced to crawl up stairs to enter her flat after her pleas to be moved to a more suitable council property have "fallen on deaf ears".
Laura Wilson, from Penicuik in Midlothuian, has been using a wheelchair full-time since her mobility became affected by a neurological condition.
She was diagnosed with fixed dystonia and functional neurological disorder in June 2021, which affected her speech as well as her left leg.
Laura spent the summer in hospital recovering - over which time her marriage broke down.
She moved into temporary ground floor accommodation, but in November last year she lost strength in her right leg and was advised to use a wheelchair full-time.
Laura has been left unable to enter and exit her property - which has four steps to the front door - without assistance from her family who live nearby.
Her attempts to be moved to a council property suitable for her disability have "fallen on deaf ears", she told The Sun, leaving her feeling as though she is being "held prisoner" in her own home.
She said: "I updated my housing officer, the community health specialist and my tenancy support worker who have seen the deterioration in my health over the months.
"I tried to contact them again explaining that this property was completely unsuitable and unsafe for me now.
"After many calls and messages later, I had spoken to several people and told them I needed a move as a matter of urgency. But this fell on deaf ears."
She claimed the doors and hallways in the flat were all too narrow, leaving her struggling to get around.
"Most importantly, I can't leave the property," she added.
"I am basically being held prisoner."
A video shared to TikTok by Laura's sister showed the struggle she had to go through every time she needed to leave the house, as she attempted to climb out of her wheelchair and slide down the four large steps.
She then crawled back up the steps to get into the property.
One TikToker commented on the video: "Inhumane, humiliating, dangerous and unacceptable!
"I'm so sorry you're in this situation! You deserve so much better!"
Laura responded, saying: "You are right it's bloody embarrassing quite honestly."
Laura is on the council waiting list for permanent accomodation, however it has to be suitable for a wheelchair user.
This meant the pavement needed to be level, while the entrance should be at floor level or with a ramp.
A Midlothian Council spokesman told the Sun: “We’re aware Ms Wilson’s medical needs have changed since she accepted her current accommodation and appreciate it must be very stressful for her to no longer be able to move around the flat or get out as before.
"We’ve assured her we are working hard to find her accommodation adapted to her needs just as soon as possible. We’re hopeful we may be able to offer her one within the next week or so.”
