Dying nurse forced to wait for vital help

A nurse who has dedicated her life to caring for others is now a prisoner in her own home as she dies of a muscle wasting disease.

Lynda Forde, 60, of Howick Park Avenue, Penwortham, has been diagnosed with a rapid form of Motor Neurone Disease, a progressive fatal condition which leads to weakness and wasting of muscles.

Lynda, who has worked for the NHS for more than 40 years, is now completely wheelchair bound, her speech has become slurred and she has problems swallowing.

She is currently confined to a downstairs room in her home and is forced to use a chemical toilet near her kitchen and wash herself in a washing up bowl.

She desperately needs modifications to her home so she can have a living area downstairs, but South Ribble Council has to deal with requests in date order and cannot look at Lynda's case until April at the earliest – but this may be too late.

Lynda's daughter, Louise Craven, today blasted authorities for letting down her mother after a life spent caring for others.

Louise, 36, said: "My mum wants to have what little bit of independence she can before it is taken away from her. It is all about quality of life and dignity and she is being stripped of this.

"I think it is disgusting that she has helped people all her life and now, when she is in a position where she needs help, she is not getting it."

Coun Brenda Wilson, of South Ribble Council, said: "Mrs Ford's situation, like every case we deal with, is a tragic one.

"Unfortunately the demand for disabled facilities grants far outweighs the resources we have in place to meet that demand."

04 December 2006http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=73&ArticleID=1911973