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BOYS FACE A BLEAK FUTURE

9:10am Wednesday 31st October 2007

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THREE disabled teenagers from Wirral who were offered purpose-built accommodation have had it taken from them at the last minute.

Jay Langton, Lee Caldicot and Liam Jones currently live in Rosclare House, Noctorum and were given the go-ahead to move into the property in Spital Road, Spital early this year.

"It is disappointing, but rather than risk putting them put into a position which might fail, we have instead offered to work towards finding a solution better suited.”

Alun Hughes

The paperwork was completed and the move due to take place in November.

But in October, its owner Wirral Methodist Housing Association, told their parents that they cannot move in because the facilities are unsuitable for non-dependent wheelchair users.

It means that Jay, aged 18, from Upton and who suffers from growth retardation, sub-aortic stenosis, microcephalus and severe scoliosis; Lee, 19, from Greasby who is physically and mentally disabled and uses a wheelchair full-time, and Liam, 17, from Wallasey, who suffers from severe learning disabilities and epilepsy, have nowhere to go. They are not all dependent on wheelchairs.

Jay's devasted mum Glenys has accused the WMHA of discrim-ination against non-wheelchair users and told the Globe that the boys face a bleak future.

"At the moment we haven't got a clue where the boys are going to go."

WMHA's chief executive Alun Hughes told the Globe: "When the association received details about the proposed clients, it was clear that they did not fully meet the criteria around which we had planned for the bungalow which was particularly intended for wheelchair-dependent users.

"We felt the young men's needs would not be met satisfactorily with the design which we had created at that particular site.

"It is disappointing, but rather than risk putting them put into a position which might fail, we have instead offered to work towards finding a solution better suited."

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Your Say YourWirral Globe

Chris, Tranmere says...
11:42am Wed 31 Oct 07

If the boys had the go ahead to make the move this year, why has the WHMA waited this long to inform the boy's parents.!!
It is hard to comment with not knowing the set up of the property they are supposed to move into, but i am sure that WHMA do know the set up and they could of made any alterations in readiness for the boy's arrival. I am affraid WMHA you have let these boy's down in a really harsh manner, to leave it so late in the day to tell them and their parents.

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Alan, Wallasey says...
12:03pm Wed 31 Oct 07

I don't want to be harsh not knowing the full facts but why are they not living at home with their parents?

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Clive mcLaren, Hoylake says...
6:26pm Wed 31 Oct 07

I am concerned that the front page coverage of this emotive story, without it seems a clear knowledge of all the facts. The WMHA is not in the habit of causing unnecessary harm to its client; it is a voluntarily funded charity, whose sole reason for existence is to help people who have difficulties getting a decent home through other methods.

The Globe has a responsibility to ensure all the facts are reported unsensationaly, and quoting the boy's Mother's emotive accusation, feeds people's knee jerk negative reactions.
If donations fall for the WMHA, because of this kind of reporting, then the only ones who will suffer are other people the Council won't or can't help!

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Fiona, Greasby says...
9:31am Thu 1 Nov 07

I am glad to see that Clive has the intelligence to see beyond what is written. As someone who knows a little about this story I can say that Social Services have come off scott free when in fact they have some blame to take in this matter and nothing had been put in writing to agree that the boys were to have the property. I am sure the true facts will out

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Dave Rimmer, Wallasey says...
6:14pm Thu 1 Nov 07

Are you suggesting that Metropolitan Borough of Wirral Social Services Department had something to do with this "broken promise" to the boys. Get away with you....never

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Lorraine, says...
2:19pm Fri 2 Nov 07

This story was uninformed and completely biased against Wirral Methodist Housing whose intentions are nothing but good. The bungalow was built to accommodate 3 people confined to wheelchairs. The boys' disappointment is completely down to Social Sevices who should not have discussed this bungalow as an option. Craig Manning has written this front page story without knowledge of the facts. In my opinion bigger news would be to report on the wonderful work WMHA has done to provide many homes for disadvantaged and disabled people accross Wirral including this bungalow.

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Chloe, says...
9:57pm Wed 7 Nov 07

To all of you above who have criticized what has been done to these boys you have obviously never lived with severely disabled children in order to give an opinion of any worth or value, neither an opinion based on experience nor an opinion based on real insights into the issue. DonÂ’t judge other people lives until you have walked in their shoes. This article undoubtedly deserved front page coverage.

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Rebecca Mead, Upton says...
10:18pm Wed 7 Nov 07

I believe that many people are missing the main issue here. Surely both the social services and the WMHA should have been aware that the boysÂ’ needs would not be met satisfactorily with the design which they had created at the site before offering false hope to the parents. This is not only disappointing to those concerned but extremely unprofessional.

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Dave Rimmer, Wallasey says...
12:37am Thu 8 Nov 07

Chloe.....dangerous making assumptions you cannot prove

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louise jones, wallasey says...
12:56pm Thu 8 Nov 07

Alan wrote:
I don\'t want to be harsh not knowing the full facts but why are they not living at home with their parents?
my name is louise and i am liams mum i would like to say to alan why do you think the boys are not with their parents dont you think we would love to have them living with us all the time but this is not possible do you really think we would have them in shared care if we didnt think it was necessary liam has a sister who has the same problems as liam except liams are worse to put liam in shared care is the hardest decision we have ever had to make in our lives

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Chloe, says...
1:46pm Thu 8 Nov 07

Dave... I don't make assumptions in my life; however, I feel that anyone who has ever lived with a disabled child to such an extent that I have is not likely to criticize the situation we are going through. This was not an assumption but rather a suggestion. As Jay Langton's sister, having a brother who is one of four in the world at diagnosis, I find it very hard to accept peopleÂ’s negativity when they aren't in the situation themselves. Not only that, but there are disabilities at all levels and therefore with a brother such as mine, along with his friends, unfortunately comparisons can not be made!!
As for Alan, you ought to think before you speak.

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Dave Rimmer, Wallasey says...
5:49pm Thu 8 Nov 07

Chloe...the point I was making that you seemed to indicate that the contributors to this atricle have no connection or association with people with disabilities....not true at least 2 of the above contributors have very strong connections with the disabled community. In any case I dont feel that any of the above have "criticised the situation" as you put it. I think that most people would agree that the more independence we can give to our disabled community the better. The main issue here is who and why broke the promises made to the boys. I personally suspect that Metropolitan Borough of Wirral Social Services department had something to do with it hence my sarcasm in the post of mine on 1st Novenber. Anyhow, pass on my regards to the boys and keep fighting the authorities until they get the independence they deserve

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Glynis Langton, upton says...
10:33pm Thu 8 Nov 07

I would first like to say a big thanks to my daughter Chloe for all her support for the last 18 years thank you!
I would also like to add that social services sent a profile of the boy's to the W.M.H.A. in June. I now have a copy of my son's profile. It was after this we were told about the new build bungalow from the W.M.H.A. On the 18th September we as parents and carer's and many professionals went to view the bungalow. Excited to the point we were planning a name for it and colour schemes for there bedrooms. It was week's later we all recieved a phone call and met up with S.Services only to be told the W.M.H.A. had decided the boy,s did not now meet the criteria. So what had changed NOT the boy's. I do not usually use the word discrimination so loosely but having not been given any other reason apart from the fact they did not now meet the criteria. To which was that they were not wheelchair dependant..( to which only 5% of the population is wheel chair dependant )But how ever I would like to add that although 2 of the boy's may use wheel chairs . 1 of the boy's is wheel chair dependant. Yet all boy's have severe learning difficulties, behavouir problems and none of them are able to talk. The W.M.H.A. still have not contacted us parents!
I only hope that the saying as one door shuts another door opens is true. As we fight on............

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CHLOE, says...
6:38pm Fri 9 Nov 07

Dave… I was not implying that ‘the contributors to this article have no connection or association with people with disabilities,’ my point is that every case is individual and incomparable, and connections and associations can vary greatly, and for that reason, regardless of each writer’s situation, they have to try and think of our situation in order to understand our frustration. I also feel that services, helpers and parents, although admittedly we do all work closely together, we do all have varying opinions on these situations. However, as you say, the most important thing now is that we find a happy and loving place for the boys and as my mum says hopefully as one door shuts another door opens. I do believe that everything happens for a reason, but the one thing I do hope for is that each fight a family with a disabled child has makes it that little bit easier for the next…
Thank you for your regards.

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Dave Rimmer, Wallasey says...
12:52am Sat 10 Nov 07

Chloe....I misunderstood part of your first post for which I apologise. I certainly couldnt agree more on your point of individuality and totally understand your, and more importantly the boys frustration at a very important broken promise. As I said in my first post I suspect the main culprit is Metropolitan Borough of Wirral Social Services Department but I am sure your family are privy to more facts than I am.
Keep the pressure up on the authorities on behalf of the boys and eventually it will happen.....all the best

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Amy, Tranmere says...
9:26pm Sat 10 Nov 07

Dave, after reading all these comments I can't help but wonder just what sort of Job or where is it you work and what is your position! My heart goes out to these families and the decisions they must have to make, and yes if only life was easier for families in these circumstances.

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Dave Rimmer, Wallasey says...
10:23pm Sat 10 Nov 07

Amy.....no secret, I work for a local charity which provides, amongst other things, a transport service for the elderly and disabled. I started as a volunteer 20 years ago and have been involved ever since. Having a severely disabled nephew I am passionate about the human rights of disabled people in particular.

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liam, new ferry says...
10:42am Mon 19 Nov 07

what a load of discrimination.This is a disgrace to these boys,Where are they goin to go now!!!???Its an absolute disgrace and this is what our country is turning in to and it is appauling.I fell like i dont want to live here anmore!!!I am outraged

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liam gouldson, new ferry says...
10:44am Mon 19 Nov 07

what a load of discrimination.This is a disgrace to these boys,Where are they goin to go now!!!???Its an absolute disgrace and this is what our country is turning in to and it is appauling.I fell like i dont want to live here anmore!!!I am outraged

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liam, new ferry says...
10:45am Mon 19 Nov 07

quote
what a load of discrimination.This is a disgrace to these boys,Where are they goin to go now!!!???Its an absolute disgrace and this is what our country is turning in to and it is appauling.I fell like i dont want to live here anmore!!!I am outraged

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Comments are closed on this article.

NOWHERE TO GO: Jay Langton, aged 18, Lee Caldicot, aged 19 and Liam Jones, who is aged 17 NOWHERE TO GO: Jay Langton, aged 18, Lee Caldicot, aged 19 and Liam Jones, who is aged 17

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