A disabled man has been left “depressed” after vandals have repeatedly targeted his electric wheelchair – including urinating on it.
An Angus couple are pleading with their local authority to rehouse them following a spate of incidents at their home in Arbroath.
Erin Mullen is the primary carer for her partner, Ben Dryden, who suffers from a condition called Friedreich’s ataxia, which causes progressive nervous system damage.
The 20-year-old is confined to a wheelchair and is currently reliant on his 19-year-old partner to carry him up 15 stairs should he need to leave their flat on Millgate Loan.
The couple have asked Angus Council for a more suitable property but reached breaking point when Erin was forced to contact the police after discovering Ben’s wheelchair had been urinated on.
Ongoing problem
The mother-of-one said this was one issue in a long line of problems due to the wheelchair being stored on the ground floor of the block.
“How could anyone stoop so low to urinate on someone’s wheelchair?” Erin said.
“This has been an ongoing problem for at least the past six months and has definitely been a contributing factor for requesting a move.
“Given Ben’s condition the flat isn’t suitable anyway but we’ve had occasions when the battery out of the wheelchair has been stolen and we’ve had the extensions cut up which help to charge it.”
The couple have placed signs asking people to respect the fact the wheelchair is private property, but these have also been destroyed.
She added: “Ben is basically bed bound, he’s got a spinal fusion because he had Scoliosis – a sideway curvature of the spine – as part of his condition.
“Me having to carry him up those stairs is challenging and to make life even harder someone is tampering with his wheelchair.
“On Friday I dropped our little boy, Ben, off at nursery as normal. Just before I left I set up the extension and put the wheelchair on charge and went to the shop.
“I came back and the extension was unplugged and there was a really strong smell of urine from the wheelchair and it was soaked which is disgusting.
“Ben is completely depressed by the ongoing situation, it’s disheartening to think someone is going out of their way to do this.”
‘We need to get out of here’
The couple had asked Angus Council if they could put a CCTV camera in the close to act as a deterrent as a result of the on-going issues, which was denied.
Erin added: “With it being a communal entry they’ve said it violates people’s privacy which I do understand to an extent.
“The reality is we need out of here to give Ben some of his independence back.
“We have been on gold band needs for medical rehousing and been priority for six months.
“We can’t keep living like this – between the vandalism and the inadequate housing we are at breaking point.”
Housing shortage
An Angus Council spokeswoman said she “did not condone” the behaviour of those responsible for vandalising the wheelchair.
She added: “We work with our housing customers to try and find accommodation solutions that meet their needs.
“However, the shortage of affordable housing means that applicants may have to wait longer than we would ideally like.
“We will provide comprehensive housing options advice including for other providers who have suitable accommodation.
“Applicants can also seek private rented sector accommodation and we can provide information on benefits available, if required.
“We will also work with occupational therapy colleagues to identify appropriate and sometimes bespoke housing options for people with disabilities if their needs cannot be met in the general housing stock.
“We do not condone the behaviour of those who would vandalise a wheelchair and crimes of this nature should be reported to the police.”
Police probe
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed they are investigating an incident of vandalism from Friday.
She added: “On Monday 19 April, a report of vandalism of an electric wheelchair was made to police in Arbroath.
“Enquiries are at an early stage.”