‘Elysha has been failed by system’

Mum of disabled teen relying on goodwill of community

A despairing Fraserburgh mother says she has been forced to rely on the goodwill of the community to fund a desperatelyneeded bed for her disabled daughter.

Elysha Watt has suffered since she was two years old from both a curvature of the spine and a rare muscle wasting condition that has left her unable to breathe without a ventilator or eat without a gastronomy tube and able to communicate only though signing with her feet.

For the past three years Elysha, 18, has lived in constant discomfort as her family’s plea for a new £19,000 specialist bed has hit setback after setback.

“I’m upset, frustrated and drained,” mum Grace, 45, said.

The full-time carer says that after multiple meetings with the region’s nurses and social care department, she thought she’d finally found a charity willing to help, only for that to fall through too.

“In January a charity offered to provide the bed but I needed the form to be signed-off by occupational therapists,” the mum-oftwo said.

“I assumed that was a done deal and the problem

“At the end of the day she is lying in a bed I wouldn’t put a dog in”

was solved, only to chase it up last month and find the form was still lying unsigned on a desk.

“Elysha has been failed. At the end of the day she is lying in a bed I wouldn’t put a dog in. I am not an expert in anything medical, but I am an expert in Elysha.”

Despite suffering from poor health herself, as she awaits a heart operation, Grace must prop up Elysha’s mattress with pillows to stop her sliding down or out of the bed and constantly worries about her daughter’s breathing being compromised.

She added: “The carers are all disgusted and have raised the issue numerous times. She is getting highdependency care at home, so should have the right bed to reflect that.

“Mentally, Elysha has nothing wrong with her, it’s just physical. She has had gaps in her education due to her illness but has a really good sense of humour and is very determined. But she is now getting so upset and frustrated.

“This bed should have been sorted years ago.”

Local fundraiser Rona Mennie has, however, stepped in.

Her efforts have raised almost £1,000 in the 48 hours since she launched a JustGiving page.

And yesterday it collected an anonymous £5,000 donation.

To support the appeal, visit bit.ly/2CuaWTC

MUCH-NEEDED: Elysha now has community help to buy the £19,000 bed she needs to ease her suffering