Disabled Army Veteran Pleads For New Home

Picture: SWNS

A disabled Army veteran suffering from leukaemia is stuck in a council house that is so unsuitable to his needs that he has to go to a nearby supermarket to use the toilet.

Bill Baxter, 64, from Burntisland, Fife, has mobility issues and is hoping the council will be able to rehouse him in a smaller property which has better disabled facilities.

He has osteoarthritis in both hips and his lower spine, and relies on two sticks when out of the house.

The narrow bathroom and lack of a ramp outside can create great difficulties for Bill, and he relies on relatives nearby for meals as he cannot stand long enough to cook for himself.

Bill served with the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers at RAF Leuchars, and has to use a supermarket toilet in nearby Dalgetty Bay because it is the closest public toilet which is suitably high enough for him.

The toilet in his own house is unsuitable because of a frame around the toilet, which clashes with his mobility sticks and causes great problems.

Bill said:

"I suffer in pain 24-7, even during the night.

"I just want to downgrade. It's a family house. I'm sitting here in a three bedroom house with subsidised rent," he said.

"How much money is the council losing when they can let it out and get full rent for it?"

Bill has a seat for the bath, but fell while trying to climb in and dislocated his hip.

"I need a wet room to wash in," said Bill.

"I have to wash myself down and my carer comes in and mops up the floor."

Bill's daughter, Kimberley Wiggins, said: "I just want my dad to be able to live with dignity.

"In the last month his health has definitely deteriorated.

"We want to see him in a house or bungalow where he can get proper care."

Ken Burns, Fife Council housing manager for housing access, said: "There's a shortage of accessible ground floor properties in the areas Mr Baxter has selected.

"We've spoken to him about his current options in relation to his needs and choice of house types.

"We'll continue working with Mr Baxter to ensure he is given adequate support while we wait for a housing opportunity to become available."