Disabled Chesterfield man forced to shower outside for over two years after council delays

Tony Rawson, 54, lost his leg to sepsis in January 2019 and finds it extremely difficult to get upstairs to use the bathroom at his two-story meeting house on Walton Drive in Boythorpe.

Although the Chesterfield Borough Council agreed to convert the downstairs toilet into a wet room a month after his amputation, Tony said the work was still not done, meaning he had to clean up a makeshift shower in his yard.

This was what Tony saw showering under a pavilion in all weathers for many months until he recently started looking for proper plumbing and shower fittings as well as plywood protection to make it a little warmer and more private.

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Tony Rawson has been forced to shower outside for over two years after the council was delayed in adapting his home

Tony, who currently uses a wheelchair, said, “When I got out of the hospital I was examined by occupational therapists and physical therapists liaison with Chesterfield Borough Council and they agreed to tear down the wall in the downstairs toilet and they extend room for a wet time.

“They gave me a wet leg – a prosthesis designed to withstand water – but it hurt when you put it on and up.

Tony says numerous people have visited his home, including architects and civil engineers who have promised to carry out the work but have since been told the delay was due to Covid-19.

Tony Rawson says the council agreed to convert his downstairs toilet into a wet room, but the work has not yet been done

He added, “I had to pay to have a hot water tap put outside, then plug in the tubing so I could control the heat and cold, and shower under a gazebo for about a year.

“My wife had to stand by the taps and change the temperature. She got cold and wet, I wasn’t feeling very well, and it wasn’t very dignified. At one point I paid for the plumbing for a proper shower and had a makeshift plywood shelter built from the back door with a roof and a hinged door.

“I had to fund the whole facility and the work that I shouldn’t have done. I even paid for a small heater and electricity for outside.

“When I have to shower I have to check the weather and sometimes I have to miss a shower and wipe myself off when it’s too cold or has snowed, which is not very nice.

Tony Rawson had to pay for temporary accommodation, which means he feels a little warmer when he takes a shower outside

“My mother even said in my case that they treat a dog better than me … I’ve had enough of it.”

Chesterfield Borough Council said it has an obligation to make adjustments for its tenants “as soon as possible” to ensure their home can meet their needs.

“We worked with Mr. Rawson to ensure we could continue to meet his housing needs and we considered moving him to a more suitable property,” added a spokesman for the agency.

“However, since Mr. Rawson would like to stay in his current home, we will make appropriate adjustments to the property. We have consulted with Mr. Rawson about the customization drafts and are working hard to deliver them. “

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