A FERMANAGH mother has said she is struggling to cope with caring for her adult son with learning disabilities, without any support, while also having to travel to Derry for treatment for her own health conditions.
The local woman and her partner recently had to fork out £400 to travel to Altnagelvin in the middle of the night, with the couple having to bring their son with them as there was no emergency care available.
Speaking to the ‘Herald, the woman explained the £400 – which was discounted as they knew the driver – covered taking her to the Derry hospital at 2am after she developed a problem with her stoma bag, and for her partner and her son to travel up and down again.
Even more recently, the woman had to attend the SWAH ED and was told she could not have both her partner and her son with her, and her son would have to wait outside. As a result, the woman said she discharged herself early.
The recent incidents were just the latest example of the lack of support they have received, and the impact it’s having on their lives.
While their son does attend day care, services he used to enjoy such as the summer camp at the Lakeland Forum and a formal at the Killyhevlin no longer take place. The woman said she also previously had someone take her son for an hour for a walk, which was very welcome, but that also no longer happens.
Indeed, the mother told the ‘Herald her son does not even have a social worker, as they have been told none are available.
Noting that he once had a very good social worker, who has sadly retired, she said her son only had a social worker assigned to him for a handful of weeks over the past number of years.
“My son should have a social worker,” she said. “I’ve letters from my doctor, but no matter what I can’t get a social worker.”
The woman’s partner added, “We’re getting no help. There’s not one thing we’re getting.”
He added, “If I have to go the hospital at 2am, I have to get the cub out of bed and take him with me. Everywhere I go, to hospitals, hospital appointments, I have nobody to mind him so I have to take him.”
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