REACH

HALTON HOUSING TRUST
Transforming a
Young Girl’s Life
Everyone at the Trust works hard to meet our
mission by Improving People’s Lives. In this edition
we learn how Katie-Ellen’s life was transformed
through aids and adaptations.
Katie-Ellen, 13, is a lovely young lady who has a rare condition called
Pallister Hall Syndrome which affects her every activity. Katie-Ellen
is ventilated and oxygen dependant. She also has a gastrostomy and
colostomy and is profoundly deaf. If this wasn’t enough to cope with,
she has chronic renal failure and Epilepsy and uses a wheelchair to
mobilise – but despite all of this she is a happy, loveable young lady.
Katie-Ellen was living in a three bed bungalow in Runcorn with her
Mum - Kerry, Dad – Stephen and younger brother Tom. Unfortunately,
the layout of their home wasn’t suitable and it wasn’t feasible to adapt
it to meet all of Katie-Ellen and her family’s needs. Mum and Dad were
providing the 24-hour care that she needs, taking it in turns to sleep
in her room. They had the option of overnight, paid-for carers but
the home layout meant this would disturb the rest of the family. The
bathroom was very small with just a shower over the bath, which meant
that it was difficult for her to be transferred in and out of the bath safely.
The doors and corridors weren’t wide enough for her wheelchair and
other equipment to be used.
Cherrie Walker from the Trust’s Housing Options team was allocated
the case in September 2015 and worked closely with Occupational
Therapist (OT)-Anthony McDonald from Halton Borough Council,
Knowsley Housing Trust, the Trust’s Property Services and the family to
establish the type of property and adaptations that were needed as well
as a suitable location.
After identifying a potential property, Cherrie worked with Knowsley
Housing Trust to find a suitable home for the outgoing tenant. OT
Anthony viewed the house, confirmed its suitability and recommended
specialist suppliers to make the changes. Although it meant uprooting
the family from Runcorn to Widnes, Katie-Ellen and her family were
happy with the house and its location.
After receiving the property in August, the Trust began
work to ensure everything was in place for the move.
Changes requested by the OT included: a specialist
high-low bath, ceiling track hoist, changes to the electric
supply, external lighting and additional hardstanding
for parking. We also provided a new family bathroom,
plastered, painted and decorated throughout and cleared
the overgrown garden. Dave Partington from Property
Services co-ordinated a team of people from different
trades who pulled together to get their new home ready
as quickly as possible.
The family moved in two months later, in September,
and their new home has already made a big difference
to their lives. Katie-Ellen now has her own room and
her parents can now arrange for overnight carers so
they can have a good night’s sleep. The hoist allows
Katie-Ellen to use the bath with her Mum and Dad
able to help safely.
Katie Ellen
The move was mainly about meeting the basic needs of
Katie-Ellen, but it did impact on younger brother Tom. Although Tom
had to leave his school and friends, he never complained and was happy
and excited for his big sister. He loved that the garden was big enough
for his Christmas wish list-a trampoline. The Trust gave him a big (and
well deserved) surprise when he moved in, as sitting in the garden was
a brand new trampoline and enclosure – Christmas had come early
for Tom!
The move has made such a huge difference to a deserving family. Mum
Kerry said she couldn’t thank everyone enough who had worked so
hard to make it happen.
Katies brother enjoying
his trampoline!
10
REACH
WINTER 2016
WWW.HALTONHOUSING.ORG