In Praise of Torfaen Care & Repair

Living alone with paralysis and brain injury is exhausting and daunting; there is so much that in an able-bodied person's life would pass-by unnoticed. But we stroke-survivors aiming to live, as best we can, independently, encounter challenges in every moment of the day from getting out of bed to everything. But autonomy is worth the fight and to quote Sir Keir Starmer, "life with disability should not focus on surviving but on thriving".

With this in mind I have to sing the praises of Torfaen and Monmouthshire Care & repair. Two weeks back, the day before Covid Firebreak, I Left the house on my mobility scooter to volunteer with our local foodshare scheme. On return I entered the house through the internal garage and found my way into my house living quarters blocked: with the hall door latch/lock seized-up I could not open the door. Had I two hands (one arm is totally paralysed) I could have effected a repair but I was stuck: my kitchen, food and all tv computers, my medication, all was the other side of that door. What could I do?

I had been earlier at a zoom Access Forum meeting where Care & Repair presented on their role. Previously they had installed my shower grab-rails and they're booked to make my doorstep safer. I rang hoping for advice on an emergency locksmith: the marvellous Gemma on the phone reassured me she could advise and then suggested unbidden that may be one of their handymen could solve it for me! A little relief -- I could feel my panic and stress subsiding. Within 90 minutes of my panicked call, masked and with PPE, the fantastic Jonathan had arrived and repaired my door: WOW! I could eat, have a cuppa, relax in front of the telly, and be sure my medication was taken, that my cat was fed & not stressed.

For the disabled and elderly F-o-C the amazing Care & Repair (Monmouthshire & Torfaen) is locally on hand for us to help us keep our independence in our own homes! What a worthy reassuring, cost-effective system we have in and supported by the Welsh government! As Co-leader of Disability Labour (Wales) I know I express the appreciation of many for this fabulous service: Thank You Care & Repair. With your support, I feel able despite my disabilities to carry on my life's fight for autonomy and in the Comfort and reassurance of my own home & community