‘Council’s left me feeling suicidal’ Disabled man said all he wants is support (From South Wales Guardian)

‘Council’s left me feeling suicidal’ Disabled man said all he wants is support

10:27am Wednesday 3rd February 2010

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A disabled former miner from Llandybie has accused the local authority of pushing him to the brink of suicide.

Stephen Larkin-Jones, of Caecoed, claims he is waiting for Carmerthenshire council to assess whether he is eligible for someone to help him around the house – four months after he suffered a stroke.

The 60-year-old wheelchair-user, who had his left leg amputated last May, told the Guardian he is so depressed he regularly considers taking his own life.

“If I could stand up to fix a rope around my neck I would,” he said.

“I’d throw myself in front of a truck or onto the railway lines, but I cannot get out of the house.

“The depression has got so bad I feel like my head is being squeezed in an apple press.”

Mr Larkin-Jones, who worked as a gardener after Cynheidre colliery closed, has had three epileptic fits since Christmas Eve and has pleaded with social services to allow him to pay someone to help out, but says he is still waiting to be assessed.

“The council talks about people-centred care and making people more independent, but no one has listened to what I actually need,” he said.

“They are only interested in whether I have a handrail in the bathroom. I just want to be able to pay someone I trust to help me when I need it.”

Juliette Anderson, a friend of Mr Larkin-Jones, has taken it upon herself to help whenever possible and often finds herself acting as an unpaid full-time personal assistant.

“If it were not for Juliette I would not be here now,” said Mr Larkin-Jones.

Bruce McLernon, director of social care, health and housing, said: “We have been very active in trying to work with Mr Larkin-Jones to provide him with care that is in line with his needs, and we will continue to do so. There are confidential issues with Mr Larkin-Jones’ case, which we cannot go in to in his best interests.”

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