Freedom and Independence for Hasna

My name is Hasna and I am a prisoner in my own home.

We desperately need your help to raise £6,904 to cover vital disability adaptations to my home, so it can be safe for me to get around in my wheelchair.

I, along with my family of 4, live in a social housing property in Richmond Borough that is not wheelchair accessible - this leaves me trapped in my room all day, 24/7.

In 2019, I was hospitalized due to a number of serious health complications. I underwent surgery and suffered a cardiac arrest, which resulted in what the doctors called “a stroke of the leg.” As a result, I was left with paralysis in my right leg and significant weakness in my left. I was then later diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder. Having had no previous health issues, my world was completely turned upside down overnight.

These conditions mean that I use a wheelchair to get around. The home that I was once able to get around, has quickly become a prison. I cannot leave my bedroom most of the time, because there is no safe access to move around in the house. Simple tasks like making a cup of tea have resulted in multiple injuries, such as scolding because my kitchen is not wheelchair accessible. I am also not able to access my refrigerator or cabinets, so I am unable to cook for myself. My independence has been completely stripped away and I have to rely on my family for everything.

There is no ramp access at the front or back of my house, so when I am leaving I have to be lifted outside of the front door into my wheelchair by my husband and son. This is extremely demoralizing and has resulted in several falls/injuries. At the moment, I only leave the house if it is an absolute necessity, like going to a hospital appointment. Leaving the house is terrifying and completely unsafe.

I’ve been working with a local charity called Ruils and the local authority to try to get reasonable adjustments made to my home so that I can be independent and access the community again. This has been a long process and we are at the final stages now. The local authority has agreed to transform my kitchen and create an open-plan space that is wheelchair accessible. They will also provide ramp access at the back of the house so I can go in and out safely without support.

However, the grant that is meant to cover the cost of this vital renovation is means tested, which means we are expected to pay a contribution towards the works. The assessed contribution for the work stands at £9404. The financial assessment is set out by the government, but it is inherently flawed and impacts disproportionately on disabled people like me. My husband is the only earner in our household and there is no possible way we can pay this amount.

Ruils have discussed my case with the Victoria Foundation, a local medical-based charity, and they have very generously pledged £2,500 if we can secure the rest of the money. This leaves £6,904 to pay for the adaptations. This is a huge amount of money and has been a devastating blow for our family, especially in this current climate with the cost-of-living crisis.

We are calling on our local community for help. The local authority will not proceed with the work until payment is made in full. Every day that I am trapped inside is another day that I am stripped of my independence, dignity and will to carry on. My family has been massively impacted by this situation and we are desperate for this to change.

If you can, please consider donating to support these vital works. These adaptations will be life-changing, giving me back my freedom and independence. The adaptations will also give my family much-needed respite, especially since they spend most of their time looking after me. Thank you in advance for any amount you can give.