A man who has no use of his legs or arms was told the round-the-clock care he needs to support him was going to be cut to just six hours a day. Mitchell Salter is disabled and has always relied on live-in carers as an adult to help him with basic tasks.
But the 32-year-old was shocked to learn his local council was planning to slash his care to just six hours a day, leaving him worried about how he would manage on his own. Mitchell, who has no family living nearby him in Bilston, near Wolverhampton, was recently contacted by social services who told him the changes to his care package would be coming into effect in December - leaving him anxious, Birmingham Live reported.
Mitchell was born with arthrogryposis which has left him with muscle weakness, meaning he has no use of his arms or legs and has to rely on a wheelchair. He struggles to carry out most daily tasks on his own without help from carers. The change in his care would have meant there was no one with him overnight, leaving him worried what might happen if he had an accident on his own.
Fortunately, Wolverhampton City Council has now U-turned on its plans to cut Mitchell's care after he shared his concerns with Birmingham Live. Mitchell said he is "relieved" the council has changed its mind, but slammed them for putting him through stress and anxiety that made him want to cry.
Although he is happy his care won't be reduced, he is not happy with the way he has been treated by the council. Mitchell explained that his live-in carers do everything for him and he has never lived on his own before.
He said: "They do all my cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing. I have never lived on my own. It would create anxiety, fear, stress, and depression, if I am left by myself, especially at night.
"I can't use my hands at all. If I have an accident it would mean I would struggle a lot more than anyone else. This is my right.
"If anything happens or someone breaks in I would be on my own. I also need someone to help me outside because I can't go out on my own.
"If someone breaks in, I wouldn't handle it. They offered equipment, such as telecare and door technology, but if I am injured or sick, I will not be able to access the technology properly due to my lack of mobility, especially if I am sick or injured."
Mitchell was so angry, he threatened legal action against the council before they backed down. He added: "I'm relieved. It was a happy day.
"But I'm still hacked off with how they behaved." The authority gave no explanation for the U-turn, only issuing a statement saying: "The council can confirm that Mr Salter’s care package won't be reduced.
"We will continue to work closely with Mr Salter to support his independence and ensure his long-term social care requirements are met.”
