Well I'm back, the problem hasn't been with internet access as I thought it would but with the laptop charger dying. The best part was that it died quietly so I had no idea until the message flashed up that I had no battery power left. As the lappy had arrived via Emma's partner, I left it to him to get a replacement charger. As it turned out it had to come from Germany so took about 3 weeks.
That wasn't the only bad news that dogged us from Day One. My Debit Card details were cloned and the fraudsters had been using the card to buy a range of products all over Europe, and so I was unable to do anything, even obtain cash, as my card was stopped. So after a month I eventually was taken to the bank by wheelchair to prove that I am me, and without using a mirror! Having a driving licence, even though not being allowed to drive, does have its uses after all.
So, I had a month without being able to make online purchases [we desperately needed curtains etc.] and a further two weeks having no means to able to access anything online.
Right, so I will start at beginning and tell you a moving story of moving.
We were told by the woman who came to assess us for priority that we would only be offered a ground floor flat and that would take until December. So to be offered a property [which the occupational therapist had approved] at the beginning of October came as a bit of a shock. We arranged to do a viewing the next day, and did it rain! The officer who was to accompany us at the viewing was running late so we were left in the rain for 10 minutes. We liked the kitchen which was brand new [exactly the same fittings that I had chosen], the bathroom was a wet room, and the garden was the ideal size for the dog. We were asked to give our response by 10a.m on the following Tuesday, we spent all weekend wavering and decided to ring on the Monday and request a second viewing. This was done with the proviso that if the answer was affirmative they needed to know on the Tuesday so the upshot was that we made an appointment to sign and did the second viewing alone straight afterwards.
At the signing we had the bombshell of being told that we would only have one week in which to move before we lost housing benefit. We decided that paying for one week at the full rent to give us more time was worth it and so we did. We arranged for the move by hiring a van to be on Thursday the 14th October. Luckily my son was off work that week and so him and his step-children had to pack most of the stuff for us. [I wasn't capable and Alan was doing his headless chicken impersonation] Every evening we discussed how we wanted the interior to look, making plans for the furniture etc.
I wanted to have the same provider of television, phone and broadband in the new residence, so arranged to have this installed the day after the move. When the engineer arrived he informed me that he could not do the satellite installation because, being a bungalow on a hillside, the surrounding buildings were too high, as were the trees. So we were left with no alternative but to find a service that was not satellite based, and the only one we found was the main telecommunications provider in the country which provides all three through the telephone line, and we have subsequently found to be very expensive!
We moved in with Alan being here doing all the directing and me staying at the house with the dog to arrive later. As it turned out Alan was sat in the cold because we didn't know how to turn the heating on, although a plumber did come out immediately the next day. The heating and hot water is through the district heating system which, it transpired, needed to be turned on at the mains, and we have discovered is either on or off, which means we either melt or freeze. New thermostatic valves are to be fitted in about February [and they will be on the sides of the radiators not underneath as they are now!] but I have heard intentions regarding the council work before and know that a 3 month planned waiting time can be 7 or 8 months because their pace of work.
Then there is the bathroom; it has been blocked since day one. When I say all, first it was the toilet that would fill to the top when flushed and slowly go down in its own time. We have got a better fix today, two nights ago the washbasin would not drain and last week Alan had to clear out the shower drain to stop it smelling and the water spreading into the hall every time it was used. Today's plumber [the fifth in as many weeks!] has investigated further because of the total blockage and cleared the drain outside so all seems OK for now.
We were to have all the bungalow painted white [anything to cover up the artexed salmon pink walls] and Alan's cousin Ken was to do it. We've since discovered that Ken is a bit of an 'old woman' and can only work 1 day a week for various reasons so its a room or area a week apart from the hall that had 6 brown doors and so they have taken a few weeks. Now we are ready to have the laminate floor fitted and buy all the new furniture we want, but it seems that we are now too near Xmas.
The snow has arrived and so stopped all deliveries for the past few days and future undetermined days. It is only about 2 feet deep so I don't see what the problem is, and the dog disappears whenever she goes out!
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Friday, 8 October 2010
ON THE MOVE!!!!!
YEEESSS!
We have been packing! Why? We have a bungalow! Probably moving on the 13th or 14th October, it is ideal apart from the broken fences and artexing everywhere, well the hall living room and bedroom. Which in reality only leaves the kitchen and bathroom which have both been renovated recently, and so are brand new. Also the bathroom is a wet room so no bath problems and more space
Fences are Alan's speciality and do need to be done first for the dog, the garden is accessed by a door [which we call the back door] in the living room and so we are putting a solid lockable gate in the back fence which will also be peep-proof both to stop the dog barking at anyone walking past and stop anyone peeping into the garden with a view to breaking in.
We have decided to just paint the artexing white, so we've no problems on that front [apart from getting Alan to ring his cousin], and to use the curtains that are already in place [not our taste but they will do for a few weeks].
The van is booked now for the 14th so a lot of work needs to be done this weekend. I have spoken to my broadband and tv supplier [Sky] and it seems I may be offline for between 2 and 4 weeks. I will post another update when I am back.
We have been packing! Why? We have a bungalow! Probably moving on the 13th or 14th October, it is ideal apart from the broken fences and artexing everywhere, well the hall living room and bedroom. Which in reality only leaves the kitchen and bathroom which have both been renovated recently, and so are brand new. Also the bathroom is a wet room so no bath problems and more space
Fences are Alan's speciality and do need to be done first for the dog, the garden is accessed by a door [which we call the back door] in the living room and so we are putting a solid lockable gate in the back fence which will also be peep-proof both to stop the dog barking at anyone walking past and stop anyone peeping into the garden with a view to breaking in.
We have decided to just paint the artexing white, so we've no problems on that front [apart from getting Alan to ring his cousin], and to use the curtains that are already in place [not our taste but they will do for a few weeks].
The van is booked now for the 14th so a lot of work needs to be done this weekend. I have spoken to my broadband and tv supplier [Sky] and it seems I may be offline for between 2 and 4 weeks. I will post another update when I am back.
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
DESPAIR AND HOPE - within a few days
It seems ages since I last updated this, in fact it has been ages. I apologise to everyone because I've not done any updates for a while, I just been obsessed with getting a bungalow. I can't really think of MS implications, I have just managed to build an intense dislike for this house, and my situation.
I feel totally abandoned by everyone who has any power over the situation. It seems to me that they have not taken into account the fact that I have not been able to even get into the garden area for over one year. How would they like being a prisoner for that length of time? They seem to think that I am applying to move because I feel like it not through necessity even though I have got medical priority. I am sure they think that if they leave me long enough I will be grateful for a flat.
It is not just the access to the house that causes problems, since the modernisation I am finding it increasingly difficult to have shower. The powers that be decided that I MUST have a bath fitted and the only one that would fit in the space was a lot shorter and deeper, I have tried a bath twice and the second time got well and truly stuck, my legs just aren't strong enough to push me up that distance and my non-functioning right arm doesn't help. The equipment people provided me with a board that fits across the bath to enable me to have a shower, but when I sit on the board my feet dangle, and as my right leg won't lift without manual help, and so lifting my legs into the bath is very difficult and, I feel, dangerous considering my lack of balance. So I am reduced to re-enacting the days when bathrooms were not the norm, using a face-cloth on the bod, but my hair is another problem, I have to brave the battle of the bath to do that. Considering the fact that I used to be able to rise and have a shower and be in the car within 30 mins when I was working and on the morning shift, which meant having to be at work 5.30 am. So you can imagine the hardship I feel with the present situation.
Well it is Wednesday again, and there is only one suitable bungalow on the list, albeit 12 miles from here. It is 7 miles out of the city which would mean my daughter will be about 14 miles away from me, which will be no problem. There is, however, a train station about 2 miles further out of the city, which only takes 12 mins to the city centre, and it has two bedrooms, a walk in shower [what we would call a wet room] and a decent sized garden [we think] even if the décor isn't up to much being the ever hopeful beings that we are, we will register an interest.
Reading about the process at their end yesterday I noticed that they say the process generally takes 1 week from the closing date. Working on that basis the only one we are likely to hear about this week is one that has only one bedroom and a very narrow garden for the dog but we still will have an option to turn it down.
I feel totally abandoned by everyone who has any power over the situation. It seems to me that they have not taken into account the fact that I have not been able to even get into the garden area for over one year. How would they like being a prisoner for that length of time? They seem to think that I am applying to move because I feel like it not through necessity even though I have got medical priority. I am sure they think that if they leave me long enough I will be grateful for a flat.
It is not just the access to the house that causes problems, since the modernisation I am finding it increasingly difficult to have shower. The powers that be decided that I MUST have a bath fitted and the only one that would fit in the space was a lot shorter and deeper, I have tried a bath twice and the second time got well and truly stuck, my legs just aren't strong enough to push me up that distance and my non-functioning right arm doesn't help. The equipment people provided me with a board that fits across the bath to enable me to have a shower, but when I sit on the board my feet dangle, and as my right leg won't lift without manual help, and so lifting my legs into the bath is very difficult and, I feel, dangerous considering my lack of balance. So I am reduced to re-enacting the days when bathrooms were not the norm, using a face-cloth on the bod, but my hair is another problem, I have to brave the battle of the bath to do that. Considering the fact that I used to be able to rise and have a shower and be in the car within 30 mins when I was working and on the morning shift, which meant having to be at work 5.30 am. So you can imagine the hardship I feel with the present situation.
Well it is Wednesday again, and there is only one suitable bungalow on the list, albeit 12 miles from here. It is 7 miles out of the city which would mean my daughter will be about 14 miles away from me, which will be no problem. There is, however, a train station about 2 miles further out of the city, which only takes 12 mins to the city centre, and it has two bedrooms, a walk in shower [what we would call a wet room] and a decent sized garden [we think] even if the décor isn't up to much being the ever hopeful beings that we are, we will register an interest.
Reading about the process at their end yesterday I noticed that they say the process generally takes 1 week from the closing date. Working on that basis the only one we are likely to hear about this week is one that has only one bedroom and a very narrow garden for the dog but we still will have an option to turn it down.
Monday, 6 September 2010
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE - A LESSON I AM LEARNIING
Despite being told that we probably won't get a bungalow we have been bidding [registering an interest] for 1 a week on average, surprisingly non have been on the tram route but they have been 2 bedroomed. I have amended my details for the 3rd time, this time giving reasons why we need 2 bedrooms and a garden. OK, some were exaggerations [or lies others may say], but I'm determined not to have a flat and to move yesterday!
The physiotherapist has stopped coming now, she said that I know what exercises I need to do and why. [Shame, she seems quite intelligent, but she still thinks I know these things!]
I got a supa-dupa wheelchair, that was a pre-loved item and has just had new batteries. It turns a complete circle within its own width and length instead of having to do a 53 point blind turn as I have to do on the scooter and has a joystick that works for either hand, so I will have to move it to the left hand side. I would love to tell you more about but since Alan has fetched it, rain or showers have been non-stop especially in the mornings when I am at my best. Anyway getting a used item saved me over £1200!
All I want now is an accessible bungalow so I can use the wheelchair [even indoors] The good news I've noticed with regard to moving is that the people that have been given the property have only had mobility priority since the beginning of July. My award date of the beginning of August will be eligible sooner rather than later!
I have tried the new wheels, my daughter helped me down the steps and we headed for the tram, at least that was the idea. The combination of broken paving slabs and bad dropped kerbs put paid to that idea. Because this road is so narrow, the bin collection lorry has to mount the pavement and so the slabs are all broken and uneven, where repairs have been done it is worse! All the accessible dropped kerbs are in place for private drives and so rarely drop to road level, not only leaving a kerb that needs to be climbed but they are too steep for me to negotiate. Now I remember why I bought the large mobility scooter! Broken pavements and steep access were no problem for it. The new wheelchair however cannot cope, the main drive wheel is touching nothing on the broken slabs so not moving, and at the drop kerbs the incline is too steep and the wheelchair threatens to overturn and so I don't feel safe.
The outcome was that we turned back and went shopping using the ordinary basic wheelchair and a taxi. Bang goes my independence whilst ever I live in this house. I am despairing of moving now and that makes me depressed and so I am developing a deep dislike of this house and surrounding area because I feel trapped.
The shopping trip was a success apart from I wanted a pair of boots but couldn't find any I liked. [well not below £60] I did, however, get a long top for my new leggings and a skirt that can be worn as a strapless dress with a shrug or small cardigan, I also managed to get a nice pair of shoes. Don't you think they would have cheered me up? N0 I still resent this house and my lack of independence.
We realised we may have to be quick moving and therefore I think that we should be sorting what we want & don't want but the tomorrow man [his favourite answer is Yeah, Tomorrow] who will have to do most of it keeps finding other things to do [convenient that don't you think]
The physiotherapist has stopped coming now, she said that I know what exercises I need to do and why. [Shame, she seems quite intelligent, but she still thinks I know these things!]
I got a supa-dupa wheelchair, that was a pre-loved item and has just had new batteries. It turns a complete circle within its own width and length instead of having to do a 53 point blind turn as I have to do on the scooter and has a joystick that works for either hand, so I will have to move it to the left hand side. I would love to tell you more about but since Alan has fetched it, rain or showers have been non-stop especially in the mornings when I am at my best. Anyway getting a used item saved me over £1200!
All I want now is an accessible bungalow so I can use the wheelchair [even indoors] The good news I've noticed with regard to moving is that the people that have been given the property have only had mobility priority since the beginning of July. My award date of the beginning of August will be eligible sooner rather than later!
I have tried the new wheels, my daughter helped me down the steps and we headed for the tram, at least that was the idea. The combination of broken paving slabs and bad dropped kerbs put paid to that idea. Because this road is so narrow, the bin collection lorry has to mount the pavement and so the slabs are all broken and uneven, where repairs have been done it is worse! All the accessible dropped kerbs are in place for private drives and so rarely drop to road level, not only leaving a kerb that needs to be climbed but they are too steep for me to negotiate. Now I remember why I bought the large mobility scooter! Broken pavements and steep access were no problem for it. The new wheelchair however cannot cope, the main drive wheel is touching nothing on the broken slabs so not moving, and at the drop kerbs the incline is too steep and the wheelchair threatens to overturn and so I don't feel safe.
The outcome was that we turned back and went shopping using the ordinary basic wheelchair and a taxi. Bang goes my independence whilst ever I live in this house. I am despairing of moving now and that makes me depressed and so I am developing a deep dislike of this house and surrounding area because I feel trapped.
The shopping trip was a success apart from I wanted a pair of boots but couldn't find any I liked. [well not below £60] I did, however, get a long top for my new leggings and a skirt that can be worn as a strapless dress with a shrug or small cardigan, I also managed to get a nice pair of shoes. Don't you think they would have cheered me up? N0 I still resent this house and my lack of independence.
We realised we may have to be quick moving and therefore I think that we should be sorting what we want & don't want but the tomorrow man [his favourite answer is Yeah, Tomorrow] who will have to do most of it keeps finding other things to do [convenient that don't you think]
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