Declan’s Diary, November 2009

October was an amazing month for Declan, turning 11 being the high light of it. In previous years I have dreaded his birthday…. Another year gone…another year closer to the end!!! Not this year, this year we celebrated the fact he is still here and can still light up a room with his amazing smile and humour. We celebrated his birthday firstly by arranging a surprise ride in a Rally car at ever man racing. When I lifted him out of the Subaru, the first thing he said was ‘mummy I never knew I could be this happy’ the smile on his face was a picture. That evening luckily the rain stayed off and we had a BBQ and Declan had some friends to sleep. It was lovely to see so many of our family and close friends who dropped by to give Declan presents and cuddles. Although there was a huge mess to clear up in the morning and I only managed to get a few hours sleep, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Our small bungalow has never been so full of energy and laughter, Declan certinately had a birthday to remember.
Unfortunately Declan’s strength is continuing to worsen, with him now being unable to use the controls of his Wii. Our housing situation is now getting unbelievable as when Declan gets his new wheelchair by the end of the year he will not be able to get into the bungalow what so ever!!!Yes you did read that right……his new larger wheelchair which is needed due to him now being 5ft 1 and 6 stone will not fit through the front door let alone manage to get through the tiny hall way to access any of the rooms. The council are still saying that they don’t have anywhere that is suitable for Declan’s needs. I am unable to get a mortgage as a single mum so rely on the council, housing associations or private land lords all which have so far come to a dead end, this is why I am making a plea to anyone in the Syston area who would consider doing a house swap who’s property could be adapted that is in a council/housing association house. Please please contact me if you feel you can help. Declan’s life is going to be short and painful but having a suitable place he can call home and have some sort of independence would be the best Christmas present besides a cure. Another way in which our housing problem could be solved is if a private landlord would consider their property being adapted, this would only increase the value of the property and there will always be a need for disabled housing so finding a tenant after us would not be a problem. If anyone has land in which a bungalow could be built, this is another possible solution as I have a potential investor who would pay for the build of a purpose built bungalow to rent to us.  Besides these ideas I only have camping outside Charnwood borough council and hoping they will find a heart. I am not asking for something for nothing, just the chance to give Declan a decent quality of life, a life which is worth living and full of fond memories, not frustration as he cannot move in his own home and has to be carried everywhere.