I’m a disabled woman – I had to crawl out of my council flat after becoming trapped, it’s embarrassing
A DISABLED woman has told how she has become ‘trapped’ in her flat and is forced to crawl down stairs to get out.
Laura Wilson, 34, from Penicuik, in Midlothian, has been using a wheelchair full-time in November after her mobility was affected due to a neurological condition.
In June 2021, she was diagnosed with fixed dystonia and functional neurological disorder which affected her left leg and her speech and Laura spend the summer in hospital to recover.
During this period, her marriage broke down and Laura moved into temporary ground floor accommodation.
Since November, Laura lost strength in her right leg and advised to use a chair fulltime.
However, the property has four steps to the front door – and Laura is unable to enter and exit the property without assistance from her family who live nearby.
Laura says attempts to be moved to a council property suitable for her disability have “fallen on deaf ears.”
She shared her experience of 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.
“So now I in a property in which the door doesn’t meet the health and safety regulations – as it’s a fire door but this had to be disconnected just so I could open the door alone.
“The doors and hallways are all too narrow therefore I struggle to get around and, most importantly, I can’t leave the property alone I am basically being held prisoner.”
Laura asked her sister to record a TikTok to show what she has to go through every time she needs to leave the house.
The video – which has been seen by over 150k people – show Laura attempt to climb out of her wheelchair and slide down the four large steps.
She then crawls back up the steps to get back into the property.
Commenting on the video, one follower said: “Inhumane, humiliating, dangerous and unacceptable!
“I’m so sorry you’re in this situation! You deserve so much better!”
Laura replied: “You are right it’s bloody embarrassing quite honestly.”
Laura is on the council waiting list for permanent accommodation but it has to be suitable for a wheelchair user.
This means the pavement should be level and the entrance should be floor level or with a ramp and the kitchen sits at a lower, or with the option to lower it.
A Midlothian Council spokesman said: “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.”
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