A pensioner who walks the streets of Liverpool in the middle of the night with her homeless daughter once survived a tragic suicide pact.
Wendy Ainscow spoke out about how suitable accommodation cannot be found for her autistic daughter Lisa, 46, leaving the two of them out of pocket for cheap hotel rooms and wandering around the city.
But this is not the first time the Ainscow family have fallen on hard times, as North Wales Live reveal that 79-year-old Wendy's difficult story was even been turned into a heart-wrenching TV drama.
In 2004, Wendy and her husband Bill shocked the nation and made headlines across the world when it emerged they made a suicide pact in the hope that their deaths would mean someone would help Lisa, their only child.
The couple, who had been married for 40 years, attempted to take their own lives while in Tenerife.
Bill sadly died but Wendy was rescued, leaving her to look after Lisa alone, with no government help.
She had already been driven to poverty and desperation by her daughter's Asperger's Syndrome, obsessive compulsive behaviour and addiction to spending money.
The family were left with crippling debt which saw postmaster, Bill sent to prison for 15 months for stealing £50,000 as he tried to fund Lisa's lifestyle, which included her buying 2,000 pairs of shoes.
But after three months, Bill was released on appeal on the grounds that none of the money was for his own use.
The family, who are from Flintshire, struggled to cope with what they claim was a lack of support from social services for Lisa, which was depicted in the ITV television drama, Mysterious Creatures, which aired in 2006 and starred award winning actors Timothy Spall and Brenda Blethyn.
It told the story of how the couple posted a suicide note to a local newspaper explaining how they felt "abandoned" by the authorities, and bought one way tickets to Tenerife where they planned to end their lives.
Wendy said: "We thought that if we went, someone would have to help her."
Later, she pledged never to try suicide again after previous failed attempts because she felt she had been "saved for a purpose, to look after Lisa."
But after the show aired, Lisa hit out, branding it "sick and evil" and claiming it portrayed her as a "monster".
The fall-out drove a wedge between a mother and daughter whose relationship has been turbulent over the years.
But now, 13 years on, things haven't got any easier for 79-year-old former teacher Wendy, who is still using her pension to support her daughter, who she claims still isn't getting the help she needs.
Already she has exhausted thousands of pounds in savings putting Lisa up in cheap hotels since the house she rented in Saltney was sold.
Yesterday, it was revealed how Lisa, now aged 46, has anxiety problems and struggles to walk after a hip operation, but no one can seem to find her suitable accommodation.
Wendy, who is temporarily housed in sheltered accommodation after being discharged from hospital, said housing that has been offered by Flintshire Council has not suited Lisa's complex needs.
The pensioner is even considering moving to South Wales with Lisa and trying to get a job - even though she is nearly 80.
Wendy said: "I have given her all my money to pay for the cheapest hotels we can find.
"On the odd nights I haven't had any money, she's had to sleep rough, I've gone out to be with her.
"We've spent all night in a McDonald's a few times in Liverpool. We've walked around the streets of Chester at night to keep warm. This has happened a number of times. She's had to exist on her own, homeless some nights.
"What else can I do? She has mental health needs and struggles to walk."
Wendy said she fears for the safety of her daughter, who is now in receipt of no benefits.
Recently a stranger had to talk her down from a Flintshire Bridge.
Wendy added: "I fear this is going to kill her. And sometimes I just wonder whether it's worth carrying on for the both of us. This isn't living. It's existing.
"Lisa's in a terrible state and it's very unsettling. I love her so much and she should not be in this situation.
"Lisa can't live with me because I'm in sheltered accommodation and even if she could, she would refuse because of her obsessive compulsive disorder and obsession with germs. She prefers living on her own.
"It's horrible really, I can't neglect her. I'm here for a purpose and my even though I tried to end everything in the past, I knew damn well I wouldn't succeed.
"It is my job to look after her but it's a very cruel world. I worry so much about what will happen to her after I'm gone because she'll never manage on her own.
"She's a very intelligent person but has very complex needs and it's all very sad.
"We've faced a lifetime of struggles and lost everything but I'm always trying to do my very best by her."
Lisa said: "I am absolutely terrified what's going to happen to me.
"There's other vulnerable people in the system who are living in terrible conditions.
"I am just so scared."
A Flintshire Council spokesman said: "We are continuing to work closely with Mrs Ainscow and her daughter."
