Mum with Parkinson’s Disease ‘forced to crawl on floor’ after care was cut

A mum-of-three says she regularly has to crawl to the toilet on her hands and knees now her adult social care has been reduced.

Lisa Sadler, 47, used to get 23 hours of care from Nottinghamshire County Council.

However, it was reduced to just six hours a week and she she says this has had a devastating effect.

Mrs Sadler, who used to be a childminder, had to give up work after she was diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease in 2009.

Since then, her condition has worsened to the point she struggles to carry out tasks like dressing herself, cooking or going to the toilet.

She said: ‘Parkinson’s is horrible – I would not wish it on anyone and the effect it has on my kids as well.

‘My partner, my dad, and my children have been my rock. It affects my mobility, my speech, and it causes anxiety and depression. I can’t sometimes function.

‘I have to hold onto everything, I struggle to cook and wash myself. My muscles are stiff and it is like I am walking through tar.

‘I can’t stand up for a long time and adult social care don’t seem to understand the condition.’

She was offered 23 hours of care a week from the adult social care team at the county council in September 2018.

This included a carer who would help with washing, shopping and cooking and supporting her youngest son, Josh aged six.

But those hours have now been cut to six.

The county council says it has helped Mrs Sadler adapt her home and provided funding for a childminder to pick and collect Josh up from school.

But they say they are trying to encourage their patients to be as independent as they can.

Mrs Sadler, from Arnold, said she was told she ‘did not need the care’ despite her partner working full time and supporting two children who live at home, aged six and 16.

She said: ‘It is definitely not good enough. I am struggling with day to day living. I get very fatigued and if I am at home I do not have the support.

‘They don’t want to help me and I feel let down. I don’t eat. I have to go to the toilet on my hands and knees. I don’t know what else to do.’

Ainsley Macdonnell, service director at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: ‘We work with people in a way that considers their strengths and abilities and encourages them to be as independent as they can be in all aspects of their daily lives, whilst providing support where it is needed.

‘We have offered a range of support to Lisa, including adaptations to her home, assistive technology and equipment as well as funding for her personal care and childminder support.

‘We continue to work with Lisa to review her needs to ensure they are being met in a way that supports her independence and helps her to access the services she is eligible for.’