Blind Woman Feels Trapped at Home After Waiting Over a Year for Essential Ramps
Claire Wood, a blind woman who relies on a wheelchair, says she feels trapped in her home due to the absence of essential ramps. Despite moving into her Hartcliffe property, managed by Places for People, in July 2024, Claire has been waiting over a year for the necessary adaptations to be made to her home.
“I’m just stuck here, and instead of rotting in the hospital, I’m rotting in the house, which is marginally better, but I still can’t get on with my life,” Claire shared. After spending two years in the hospital despite being medically fit for discharge, she finally moved into her property, but it was still not fully adapted to meet her needs as a wheelchair user.
While temporary ramps have been installed inside the house, Claire, who also suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and functional neurological disorder, can only use them when she has a carer or visitor to help, as she cannot independently position them. Furthermore, she cannot access her garden without assistance, despite the outdoors being a key part of her pain management plan.
The delays have been frustrating for Claire. She had hoped that Places for People would flatten her driveway in preparation for the installation of permanent ramps by September. However, the appointment was cancelled, and no new date has been provided. She says she has not heard from Bristol City Council, which is responsible for the ramp installation.
“I’m not asking for anything unreasonable. I’m not asking for a swimming pool or horse stables in my garden. I’m just asking for what I need and what I’m entitled to,” Claire emphasized.
Her frustration is compounded by the circumstances of her discharge. Claire was cleared to leave the hospital in July 2024, despite not having a safe way to evacuate her home independently in case of a fire. Government guidelines on evacuation plans for disabled people clearly state that such plans should not rely on intervention from the Fire and Rescue Service.
Claire’s advocate, Alex, raised concerns about her discharge, writing in an email over the summer: “I’m very concerned that you are proposing a plan for Claire Wood that is unsafe, unlawful, and not taking your responsibility as representatives of a public body seriously.”
After nearly three years in the hospital and now being mostly housebound, Claire feels like the lockdown never truly ended for her. At 34 years old, she says she has lost years of her life but is looking forward to regaining her independence. Her hopes include volunteering with guinea pigs at Hartcliffe City Farm and enjoying board game nights at her local pub. Despite the challenges, Claire remains determined to fight for the basic adaptations she needs to live her life independently.