MS man's human rights 'violated'

Alison Vawdrey says she often has to pick her husband from the floor

A charity claims a council's refusal to pay for an accessible toilet for a man with multiple sclerosis (MS) could be a violation of his human rights.

Although Charles Vawdrey cannot access his bathroom, his wife Alison said she has been told she must pay the first £35,000 towards a new toilet for him.

The MS Society Cymru has called on Denbighshire County Council to allow the family "some dignity".

The council said it was willing to meet the couple to discuss their situation.

MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults in the UK, and it is thought about 85,000 people suffer from it.

It is the result of damage to myelin, a protective sheath surrounding fibres of the central nervous system.

Mr Vawdrey was diagnosed in 2002 and has had to use a wheelchair since 2004.

There is a possibility that Charles' human rights have been violated by this appalling treatment Judi Rhys, MS Society Cymru

As well as being unable to access the toilet, he can only shower once a week when social workers take him to a local facility.

He and his wife Alison applied for help from the council to have a new, accessible toilet installed, and her income was assessed by the council.

Despite being the only breadwinner, Ms Vawdrey, a physiotherapist, said she has been told she must pay the first £35,000.

However, she claims the whole project will only cost an estimated £24,000, meaning she could get no financial assistance whatsoever.

She said: "I've lost count of the amount of times I have to pick Charles up off the floor as he's tried to get to the toilet. It's dangerous."

'Basic sanitation'

Their case has been backed by the MS Society Cymru.

Judi Rhys, the charity's director, said: "There is a possibility that Charles' human rights have been violated by this appalling treatment.

"In the 21st Century, it cannot be right to deprive a disabled man a grant that will allow him to use the toilet, use a shower, and have access to basic sanitation that most of us take for granted."

A spokeswoman for Denbighshire Council said: "We cannot comment on specific cases but we are willing to meet the couple to discuss their circumstances.

"Any request for home adaptations is assessed against criteria set by the council but individual circumstances are also taken into account."

Ann Jones, AM for the Vale Clwyd, said: "I have met with and written to the Deputy Minister for Housing on behalf of Mr Vawdrey and have also called upon the social service department in Denbighshire to change this decision.

"Denbighshire County Council must work to ensure that Mr Vawdrey's dignity is respected in this case. The best way to do this is by allowing him to continue his life at home, with the facilities he so badly needs."

On Wednesday the first World MS Day hopes to unite individuals and organisations and help them raise awareness of the condition.