Kerb campaign is a fight for freedom
A DISABLED grandfather fears he could become housebound unless the kerb outside his home is dropped so he can use his mobility scooter.
Adrian Green, aged 46, suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS) and in recent months has come to rely on his mobility scooter for trips outside as his condition worsened.
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HIGH AND DRY: MS sufferer Adrian Green wants a dropped kerb outside his home so he can use his mobility scooter. Picture: Cara Edgington
But because there is no dropped kerb outside his home in Pear Tree Lane, Chesterton, he has to be lifted on to the pavement or travel 100 yards along the road to the nearest low kerb.
Mr Green, who was diagnosed with MS 16 years ago, said: "I have so much trouble I feel like I might as well stay in. It's a mobility scooter, not a scrambling bike.
"We got it so I could have a bit of independence. My condition was getting worse but I decided I wasn't going to let the MS beat me. I want to get out and about myself."
Mr Green worked as a bus driver for First in Newcastle until 1993 when his condition forced him to leave.
He has since been unable to work because of his illness but believes a dropped kerb would allow him to maintain the life he had before.
Mr Green, who contacted the council in August, said: "If the council can put this kerb in here, I would be absolutely delighted. I'll be able to go wherever I want to, and that means a lot.
"I love life and this would be a big help."
Wife Diane Green, a part-time domestic assistant at Bradwell Hospital, Newcastle, often struggles to lift Mr Green's scooter on to the pavement.
The 46-year-old said: "It's a bit too heavy for me, especially with the battery pack.
"Sometimes, when I'm not there to go out with him, he has to get off it himself. Thankfully, last time a friend of his was there to lift him. But there's not always going to be someone there.
"It's not just for him – everybody needs them. There is nothing more dangerous than him having to go up the road."
The council says the work is usually carried out at no cost to residents if they are disabled.
A spokesman for Staffordshire County Council said: "Staffordshire Highways receives numerous requests to install dropped kerbs and we will accommodate these where we can.
"We need to assess how well the kerb is used. Unfortunately, we don't have the resources to carry out all requests."
2 Comments
by Sue, Newcastle
Monday, September 14 2009, 4:06PM
“Hunting for dropped kerbs is part and parcel of using a mobility scooter. I doubt there is a scooter user anywhere who does not know the joys of doubling back on their journey or travelling a few hundred yards in the road, but most of us are just happy to be able to get out and about, whatever difficulties are in achieving it.”
by peter, hanley
Monday, September 14 2009, 12:58PM
“i know how ms can affect people and good for him to get out and about, but as said " he has to be lifted on to the pavement or travel 100 yards along the road to the nearest low kerb. " what is wrong with just going 100 yards down the road?”