A Monmouthshire woman who recently had her leg amputated has hit out at a housing association’s “refusal” to adapt her house to meet her new needs.
Earlier this year Linda Jowitt, who has lived at Dan y Coed, Clydach for more than 40 years, needed an emergency operation which required the amputation of her leg.
Following the operation, she desperately needed her property, which is owned by Monmouthshire Housing Association, to be made disabled-friendly to enable her to access her house fully.
But the housing association is shockingly refusing Ms Jowitt’s plea, saying she needs to move to another property.
Ms Jowitt said: “This year has been extremely difficult for me, and Monmouthshire Housing Association’s refusal to make alterations to my house has made it a hundred times worse.
“This has been my home for 40 years and my memories are tied here. I don’t want to leave – it’s where I raised my children, who incidentally live with me still.
“Because of the Association’s refusal to act, I only have access to one room - and my mental health is being severely impacted by this.
“The Association is leaving me with no choice but to (somehow) learn to crawl up my stairs so that I can at last access my upstairs bathroom to shower and wash my hair.
“I just want the Association to act to sort out this mess.”
Cllr Jane Pratt, who is also Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Infrastructure and Neighbourhood Services, said: “This is a deeply disturbing case and I empathise entirely with Ms Jowitt’s tragic situation.
“I have a very strong social conscience which is why the ordeal Ms Jowitt’s being put through is wholly unacceptable. After all, she has lived at this house for more than 4 decades and, quite rightly, she does not wish to move.
“I urge Monmouthshire Housing Association to sort out this mess, before any further damage is caused to Ms Jowitt’s mental health.”
Peter Fox, the Member of the Senedd for the Monmouth constituency, added: “The pain Ms Jowitt has endured is unimaginable and serious questions now need urgently asking.
“Without any further delay, Monmouthshire Housing Association needs to swiftly act in Ms Jowitt’s interest.”
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