Dig hearted
Army of tradesmen answer brave Audrey’s DIY SOS to help her and son Rhys rebuild their lives after stroke leaves her paralysed
CARING tradesmen have stepped in to help a mum left paralysed from the waist down following a stroke.
The volunteers are hoping to give Audrey Miller her freedom back after she spent 10 months as a “prisoner in her own home”.
Audrey, 51, can’t get upstairs to her bedroom or bathroom. So since she was discharged from hospital in December, she has had to sleep in the living room – with her son Rhys, 12, beside her.
The hall and doors of her home in Robroyston, Glasgow, are too narrow for the mum’s wheelchair.
Audrey, who owns the property, asked Glasgow City Council for assistance. She was in touch with the social work department, occupational health services and her local councillor but says she couldn’t get help.
The breakthrough came when builder Robert Mooney, a member of voluntary group Charitable Trades Scotland, found out about Audrey’s plight.
He said: “I knew I had to do something when I heard Audrey’s story.
“It’s heartbreaking for her and Rhys, who is also struggling with the living situation.”
Following a shout-out to pals in the building trade and an appeal to raise cash for materials to extend the house, Robert and his volunteers started a DIY SOS-style makeover on Audrey’s home.
They are creating a wheelchair-accessible bedroom and wet room with toilet facilities.
They will also be fitting a new kitchen, which has been donated free.
Robert, 30, said: “Charitable Trades Scotland are a not-forprofit organisation who try to help those who need it the most.
“We were willing to adapt Audrey’s property to suit her needs for free, but just needed the money to cover the cost of building materials. It’s amazing the support we’ve had. Audrey deserves this.”
Grateful Audrey said: “I’ve never met anyone like these guys before.
“They are putting everything into this. They all have big hearts.”
She added: “Life turned
upside down for me and Rhys in March last year.
“One minute I was OK and 20 minutes later, I’m paralysed from just above the waist down.
“I’d never even heard of a spinal stroke before.
“I spent 10 months in hospital away from Rhys, which was heartbreaking.
“I’ve not been able to have a shower since I got home from hospital and my hair hasn’t been properly washed for about three months.
“I spent so long away from my son that he sleeps in the living room with me, instead of his bedroom upstairs.”
Audrey added: “It’s been terrible but thanks to Robert and the team, I can start looking to the future.
“I’ve been crying tears of happiness at what they’re doing for me.
“Things like this don’t happen to people like me. I’m just absolutely amazed and so very grateful for what they’re doing.”