A SEVERELY-DISABLED man who council officials deemed not a priority to have his own shower has been given a lifeline by a North- East manufacturer.
Mark Noel was left paralysed after breaking his neck in four places when a car crash almost claimed his life in December 2007.
On Saturday, The Northern Echo reported how the 40- year-old had been assessed by an occupational therapist and told he could wait months for a shower to be fitted.
The former roofer operates his wheelchair with his chin and relies on round-the-clock care at a council-owned bungalow at St Helen Auckland, County Durham.
Since moving in last November he has been bathed by carers, and even resorts to shaving off his hair to keep his head clean.
After reading about his plight, directors at Newton Aycliffe shower company Roman Limited stepped in.
In a compassionate gesture, they have arranged for a luxury shower and wetroom, worth £2,200, to be delivered to his home for free.
They cannot, however, install them and Mr Noel has been told Durham County Council will place him seventh on the list of those most in need.
Roman’s managing director, David Osborne, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been given the opportunity to improve Mark’s independence and quality of life.
“As soon as we were aware of Mark’s circumstances we wanted to help in any way possible.
We will work closely with Mark to ensure all his special requirements are met and to ensure the best use of any available space.”
Darlington company Bathroom World also offered a free shower after reading the story.
Mr Noel is delighted by the kind offers, but expressed disappointment at the authority’s lack of swift action.
“I am over the moon,” he said. “I want to say a big thank you to Roman. I’m touched by what they have done.
“Now I can have a shower when I want the same as anyone else does.
“They shouldn’t have had to do it though. The council has done nothing.”
A spokesperson for Durham County Council said applications for work given priority over Mr Noel’s might include people unable to live at home despite having no medical need to stay in hospital.
He said: “Like many other vulnerable people, Mr Noel is waiting to receive a disabled facilities grant to pay for adaptations on his home.
“In every case, the life of the person concerned will be improved by the work carried out.
“We are working our way through the list and the adaptations on Mr Noel’s home will be carried out in the near future.
“We will continue to liaise with Mr Noel and his family on this matter.”
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