Disabled woman dismayed after care package reduced

Jennifer Gallacher says disabled people should not have to "fight so hard" to receive appropriate care

A disabled woman who has had her council care package reduced said people like her should not have to "fight for appropriate care".

Jennifer Gallacher who has the muscle-weakening disease spinal muscular atrophy type 2, lives with her parents and has a team of carers who provide one-to-one, 24-hour support.

However, she said a recent review by Middlesbrough Council decided that she would have to pay for extra carer visits or move into a residential home because her parents need a respite break.

The 42-year-old, who has limited mobility and needs help getting out of bed and dressing, said residential care was not the "right place" for her. The council declined to comment.

She said she did not believe she would receive one-to-one care in a residential home and that the council did not appreciate "the benefits of staying at home with carers she knows and trusts".

Victoria Coates, one of Ms Gallacher's carers, said decisions on care should not come down to money.

"The money they're (the council) are quibbling over, they probably spend on stationery per month - this is someone's life."

Carer Victoria Coates said that decisions about care should not "come down to money"

Ms Gallacher added: "Disabled people are bullied into putting up with the least possible provision from councils.

"Too often they are targeted for any benefits they are capable of getting from councils and the government.

"Care should not be a fight."