Corina Leavey who has a disability
A DERRYLIN mother has called for more disabled adapted homes in Enniskillen saying the lack of accommodation will leave disabled people isolated from their communities.
Kitty Leavey, who has a 32-year-old disabled daughter, has embarked on a campaign to bring purpose built homes to the town centre enabling disability sufferers to live independently and integrate with their peers.
A growing concern surrounding parents of disabled adults in Fermanagh are where they will live in later years and how they will be able to support and care for themselves.
The lack of accommodation in Enniskillen has left mothers like Mrs Leavey in despair over how their children will cope living in more rural parts of the county.
Mrs Leavey’s daughter, Corina Leavey, is wheelchair bound but makes the daily commute from her home in Derrylin to Enniskillen, where she works, with the help of her family.
Retaining Corina’s independence is vital to Mrs Leavey who believes the only way her daughter can continue to work is by living in a wheel-chair adapted home.
“There’s no such accommodation in the town to cater for people living with a disability,” she said.
“Myself and others have set up a group who have older children living with a disability and struggle to find suitable accommodation.
“We have tried to get houses suitable for them to live in but there are none in Enniskillen.
“We have had a meeting with the Housing Executive and they have told us that if there is a need out there and there are a number of places that could be built in Enniskillen they could live then they would consider it.
“It’s a new project we have established and we hope to raise as many profiles as possible and gather numbers as to how many people will avail of this.
“Corina is 32 and works in Enniskillen, but when we are unable to look after her, I don’t know where she will live.
“There’s nothing out there yet and there’s no community or back-up system to support these young adults who are capable of living by themselves but not in rural areas.
“Something similar to a fold for old people would be a good start, where all adults suffering from a disability are able to live beside each other and have that community feeling.
“I don’t want my daughter and other people to be isolated from the world because they have a disability.”
“I know about ten mothers who are in the same situation as myself but I’m sure there are plenty more out there.
“It’s the issue they feel that as they get older is where are all their children will go and what will happen in ten years and will they be stranded in their own homes,” she added.
If you are affected by this issue contact Kitty Leavey on 028 6774 8358 or 07843730691.
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