Violet wins five-month battle for access ramp at her home

A WOMAN who has been a virtual prisoner in her own home is to get a much-needed access ramp after fighting since July to have one installed.

Forced to use a mobility scooter since contracting the incurable lung condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 66-year-old Violet Mackenzie must rely on the help of others to lift the vehicle in and out of her Lochgilphead home.

Mrs Mackenzie, who breathes with the assistance of bottled oxygen 24 hours a day, approached the Argyllshire Advertiser last month in an attempt to highlight problems she is said to have had in getting a ramp installed.

She said at the time: ‘I thought I was going to get a ramp so that I could get access with my mobility scooter in and out of the house, but that was turned down in the summer after the occupational therapy people said there wasn’t enough space for one.’

A tenant of Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), Mrs Mackenzie approached the association for assistance, to be told that a referral would first be needed from the occupational therapist service before a ramp could be considered.

After the Advertiser published her story on October 21, Mrs Mackenzie says she was contacted by ACHA, who offered to re-home her and her husband.

‘I don’t want to move, and I don’t think I’m fit enough to do it anyway,’ Mrs Mackenzie said later.

Matters seemed to be moving in the right direction when Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership said they would refer Mrs Mackenzie to ACHA, with each working to find a solution.

But by last week Mrs Mackenzie claims she was no further forward. She contacted ACHA and says was told that no referral had been received.

Again Mrs Mackenzie contacted the Advertiser, saying: ‘I am getting a bit peeved with the whole thing. They seem to think they can fob you off and you’ll accept everything they say.’

She added: ‘All I want is to be able to get

in and out of my house.’

Further inquiries by the Advertiser revealed that a referral was submitted to ACHA on October 28 by an occupational therapist.

The housing association then gave Mrs Mackenzie the news she has been waiting on for five months or more.

In response to this newspaper’s inquiries, ACHA chief executive Alastair MacGregor said: ‘I can confirm that the association received a referral for Mrs Mackenzie which asks for a feasibility survey to instal a ramped access or whether there are other options which could be looked at.

‘A site visit has takACTION en place and we have gone back to the occupational therapist department with several options for consideration.

‘I am pleased to say that this morning [Wednesday] I have been advised that the occupational therapist has agreed that a ramp can be fitted.

‘We will now be instructing our specialist supplier to visit the property to measure up and provide us with a quotation in order that we can take this forward.’

A delighted Mrs Mackenzie said: ‘I am absolutely over the moon at the news.

‘I want to thank the people who have helped me to get things to this stage and can’t wait to try out my new ramp.’