A 44-year-old man who suffered a serious stroke has been left in a state of "limbo" at a rehabilitation unit whilst his family struggles to find him somewhere suitable to live.
Gary Coleman has been unable to walk or talk properly since being taken ill in October 2020, when he was placed into a medically-induced coma.
Gary, who suffered the stroke at his home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, was hospitalised for two years following brain surgery. He has since made progress at Oakwood Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service in Offerton, but despite being well enough to leave, his loved ones say he has nowhere to go.
Gary's 51-year-old sister, Serene, who lives in Wales said her home is too far from her brother's social circle, whilst a care home place, which has been offered by the council would prove "damaging to his mental health" as he's too young. His sibling added that his "independence would be stripped away" if he went into such a facility.
Gary, with his university-bound daughter Ellie, 19 (Serene Crutchley WS)She told Manchester Evening News: "What he requires is a home suitable for a disabled person. There's a lack of disabled living, especially for young people who want to live an independent 'assisted' life, rather than a care facility. He categorically wouldn't go to a care home and I don't blame him - as a young man, it would ruin his mental health. His life has changed from what it was, he'll never have the freedom to do what he loves like hiking or riding his bike, but he can still be active with his friends.
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"But first, he needs that independence," she explained, recalling her younger brother's ordeal. "It was devastating. We're lucky he survived. Gary underwent life-saving brain surgery and was put in an induced coma. The outcome was unknown. It was a really horrible time for us all. The strong man that he is, he came through and has undergone further surgery to rebuild his skull.
"He's now impaired, with both physical and cognitive restrictions that have changed his life immensely. But he's worked hard learning life skills we take for granted with speech and language, and occupational therapy and physiotherapy. He's ready to be independent - not retiring into a home."
Serene, who is employed by the NHS, also revealed that Gary has been offered accommodation in a first-floor flat, but this would be of no use as he wouldn't be able to get up to it. She added that council bungalows in the area are reserved for the over 55s. She ruled: "Social services say he is suitable to move into an elderly person's home, but not suitable for an elderly person's bungalow - what’s the difference? Why is he too young to apply for a disabled-friendly home? It isn't right properties are age-restricted.
The family has now started crowdfunding as a last resort in a bid to raise enough money to build Gary a bespoke home to meet his needs, whilst his daughter Ellie, 19, is going to university to study speech and language therapy after witnessing what her dad went through.
A spokesperson for Stockport council said: "The council is sorry to hear about the difficulties and anxiety experienced by the gentleman and his family. We'd encourage him to continue contact with Stockport Homes, which works with individuals and households presenting to the council as being in housing need, so they can discuss what support and potential suitable adapted accommodation options are available.
"Specialist properties come with different restrictions, so we'd encourage applicants to bid regularly on suitable properties and consider a wide range of areas in order to maximise options to secure a property. The client has also been referred to the council's adult social care teams and we would look to support any ongoing care needs."
You can donate to the GoFundMe crowdfundraiser here.
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