Double amputee is refused help to have her home adapted:
CHRISTMAS BOMBSHELL FOR MUM WHO’S BATTLED CANCER 3 TIMES
A DOUBLE amputee whose only child died in a car crash was told on Christmas Eve she was not entitled to any help to have her home adapted.
Betty Pugh was battling cancer in August 2016 when she lost her only child, 21-year-old Guto Pugh, in a car crash between Bontddu and Barmouth.
Mrs Pugh at the time was undergoing chemotherapy.
The 60-year-old, from Pantperthog, near Machynlleth, has had cancer three times but is now in remission. The first time she was diagnosed with lymphoma, she was pregnant with Guto 24 years ago.
Last October she had both of her legs amputated as she was struck down with a mystery illness which left her bedridden in agony for month.
Her niece, Kerry Sheen, said: “My Aunt Betty, who is one of the loveliest people you can meet, has unfortunately been struck with misfortune and illness for much of her life.
“In 2016 the cancer came back and the day after her first round of chemotherapy, the police knocked on her door and told her that her only son had died at the age of 21, in a car crash.
“This broke her heart as she lived only for her son. Since then she has suffered severe depression and we as a family had to make her go for her treatment to fight this cancer once more.”
Kerry continued: “Last year she was very ill with an illness the medics couldn’t figure out.”
“Her legs were in agony and she couldn’t walk or even put shoes on.
“She ended up losing one leg below the knee and was totally devastated.
“A few days later they told her that they had to amputate her other leg.”
Currently Mrs Pugh is in hospital waiting to come home, but her house needs to be fully adapted.
But as she spent all her life savings giving her son (inset) the best send-off she could afford, she has no funds left to adapt her home.
Her family says Mrs Pugh will need a ramp to get to her house, as well as an adapted front door and shower room. She also plans to change her living room into a bedroom.
“My Aunt Betty is devastated because on Christmas Eve Gwynedd Council told her in a letter they aren’t going to provide any assistance to help adapt her home,” said Kerry.
“They suggested she should move to sheltered accommodation in Blaenau Ffestiniog, which is 39 miles away, away from all her family and friends.
“That’s impossible as we are the only ones that keep her going.”
Kerry, who has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her aunt, says over the years Mrs Pugh has raised hundreds of pounds for cancer charities after having it herself three times.
“My Aunt Betty wouldn’t ask anything from anyone but she deserves to be able to live a normal life at home,” she said.
“Why should she have to move from the house she has lived all her life and where she has memories of her beloved son?”
A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “While it would not be appropriate for the council to discuss individual cases, we can confirm that every request for housing and care support through the Disabled Facilities Grant is carefully considered on its own merits.
“In cases such as this, a detailed assessment of the individual’s needs is carried out in parallel to a survey of the property in question.
“The findings are presented to a panel, which decides if it is reasonable and practical to adapt the individual’s home.
“If adapting the person’s current home would not be possible, Gwynedd Council can help towards relocation costs, should they decide to move to another private property that could be adapted to meet their needs.
“The council can also help the individual to move to suitable sheltered accommodation, should this be the best option for the person in question.
“As a council, we are always open to further discussions with the individual on cases such as this.”