A desperate mum whose son has a rare condition which causes him to chew wall and floor coverings is pleading with the council to carry out adaptations to his bedroom after a nearly two-year battle.
Caitlyn McLaughlin told how five-year-old Barry needs specialist work done to his room to keep him safe – saying she is in constant fear of him hurting himself.
The youngster has autism, a speech delay, as well as rare disorder Pica which causes him to eat things like wall coverings and requires materials around him which he cannot try and eat or rip up.
Caitlyn, of Alexandria, said his room has only a bed in it as they await the work required to give him a safe space to call his own.
She told how a roll of lino, supplied by the local authority, has been lying in her hall since last summer, with the walls and floor still bare and electrics yet to be completed.
Caitlyn said it was a “gut punch” to read a report in the Lennox Herald last month about how West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (WDHSCP) is sitting on £6million of reserves while her son’s room awaits vital work.
The mum-of-two said: “It has been a long road. When I heard about the money in the reserves it made me really angry.
“You still want it to be a wee boys’ room but it isn’t like a child’s room. There’s no dignity in it just now.
“It’s got a bed in it and that’s it.
“It was even a fight to get the specialist bed and that took two-and-a-half years.
“He had eight different beds during that time and broke every single one of them.
“It’s been a constant battle.
“I am not asking for a handout. I just want his room to be safe and if I could afford it myself, I absolutely would pay for it. It’s just not feasible.”
Caitlyn said the council told her work would be carried out to her son’s room once she moved house, which happened in July 2020.
She told how a private contractor had quoted her £12,500 to complete all the work required but says the council told her that was too expensive to fund.
She continued: “They’ve wallpapered the walls twice but he’s picked it all off.
“I asked for a plastic wall coating which they’ve now said needs to be done but haven’t agreed yet to do it.
“He’s eaten the underlay and chews the skirting boards.
“He also smears up the walls and the carpets and it’s really hard to clean. I am scrubbing it constantly.
“The lino floor and plastic coating on the walls would make it much easier to clean as there would be no fibres.
“He only sleeps in there now and even then I’m on constant alert, checking on him making sure he’s not choking on something he’s eaten.
“It’s heartbreaking – every time I walk past it it’s a constant reminder that it’s not a room you would want your child to grow up in.”
Caitlyn said she is desperate to get the lino fitted which is sitting in her hall and has even offered to find someone do it herself, explaining: “They said they didn’t know if that was allowed.”
She said the works appear to have been hit with delay after delay, adding: “For the first few months I was told that Covid was causing the delay but then it was staff being on annual leave.
“I’ve also been passed from pillar to post. I feel like I’m not getting anywhere.”
The Lennox Herald told in February how documents released ahead of a WDHSCP meeting revealed there was £6.3m in unearmarked reserves.
At the time, some residents told how they were also waiting on help, including adaptations.
Caitlyn added: “It was a punch in the gut seeing how much money they’re sitting on.
“I know £12,500 is a lot of money but it isn’t compared to the amount sitting there and it would make such a difference to Barry’s life.”
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said: “It is unacceptable that we are now hearing of more people who have been impacted by this however, sadly, I am not surprised.
“People are struggling to cope while WDHSCP continue to hold these huge reserves.
“The hard-working social care staff are doing the best they can but they are not being supported by the WDHSCP and this is having a huge impact on people in need.”
Beth Culshaw, Chief Officer of WDHSCP said: “We are sorry that this resident is unhappy with the service she has received to date.
“Our commitment is always to improve the lives of people in West Dunbartonshire so we regret that circumstances, including staff absences due to sickness and the Covid-19 pandemic, have caused a delay.
“We will continue to work closely with the family and we are confident that we will be able to provide the adjustments required.”
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