I was separated and single before my injury. I had a very active lifestyle. My work involved fitting solar panels and insulating buildings, which resulted in me working away for six days a week. Because of this, I didn’t see the point in renting or getting a mortgage, so a small caravan perfectly suited my living needs. One time I rented a flat for a month and only ended up staying there for three days. Outside of work, I enjoyed riding my motorbike, mountain bike and fishing.

I sustained my injury on 31^st March 2024, due to an infection caused by an epidural abscess. The doctors knew I had an infection but didn’t know where. At that point, I will still mobile. Then I went to sleep and woke up paralysed. I was in denial and convinced that the paralysis was temporary. When the surgeon explained that it wasn’t temporary, I was in shock and the hardest part was not having any pain or looking ill. Looking back, I wish I had gone to the hospital earlier as it may have been identified. I fell ill a couple weeks prior to my injury, but I put it down to getting old. Since my injury, I haven’t been able to see my parents, as they don’t drive and I can’t get to them. It has been tough to have a few friends vanish, but some have stood by me.

I initially contacted Aspire as I was speaking to their Grants Officer, who then referred me to the Housing team for accessible accommodation.

Had Aspire not been there, my only other option would have been a homeless shelter, where I had already been in for a week or two prior to the Aspire property.

It felt like I was being punished. I was on the housing list, but progress was slow. Dealing with Aspire was the least stressful part, making a horrible part of my life easier. They helped with Grants, Welfare Benefits and Housing. Aspire has been brilliant and I would recommend all aspects of their services. They helped me a lot more than I could have hoped for. I initially contacted Aspire for some advice and I didn’t expect it to be anywhere near as good as it was.

My main concern was accessibility. I didn’t care which location I lived in, I just wanted to live somewhere that I could manage.

The Aspire property gave me independence and the confidence that I could do things on my own. I could get up in the morning, cook meals and cope on my own. It was a big confidence booster with moving forward in life.

My favourite feature of the property was the patio opening into the garden. I used to sit with the back door open all winter. The location itself was convenient with everything I needed within a quarter of a mile.

(George)

Accessible Housing

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