EXCLUSIVE: Family's anger at treatment of terminally ill Crawley man

A SISTER has expressed her fury over the "disgusting treatment" by social services of her terminally ill brother.

Carl Cooper, who suffers from the debilitating Huntington's Disease, has been "neglected" by West Sussex County Council's social services department, according to his family.

They claim the service has treated the 34-year-old from Southgate as a "case rather than a person," which has led to a rapid decline in his health.

Sister Nicola, 26, said: "We are sick and tired of fighting, all we want is for him to be comfortable.

"That should not be too much to ask."

The family claim Carl has been left with bruises and scars because social services are making the family wait for equipment which is vital to keep Carl's condition stable.

He has been forced to sleep in an unsafe bed, left waiting for months for a wheelchair and even left without basic equipment such as a head guard and a living room chair.

Nicola said: "All we are told is Carl is in a queue, and its not good enough. It is like they treat Carl as a case rather than a person.

"When Carl first had to go into a wheelchair, they made us wait months.

"We ended up paying £250 out of our own money to get one then they said they would not pay for the special padding or the supportive belt he needed because we had bought it ourselves.

"I don't know what they expect us to do, sit around and wait? What happens to Carl if we do that? It is not like we are asking for miracles, we are asking for things that are vital for Carl."

Mum Phyllis, 54, said: "It is one thing after another.

"It is heartbreaking for us sometimes, we have to laugh because if we didn't, we would cry."

The family have gone to extreme measures to protect Carl.

They have stuck pillows to bathroom walls so that, if he falls, it will cushion the blow.

They also got a family friend to construct a makeshift ramp so Carl can get in and out of his flat in Southgate Drive.

Nicola added: "We asked on many occasions for cot bumpers to prevent him hurting himself, but none were supplied.

"Carl has missed out. We want to take him for days out and do special memorable things with him, but it is difficult when we are in a constant battle with the council.

"If the energy we spend on fighting for Carl could be spent on making Carl's life fun and comfortable for him, it would be a different story."

COUNCIL'S RESPONSE

WEST Sussex County Council has defended its treatment of Carl Cooper, but admitted there have been "challenges" with getting the correct equipment.

A spokesman for the authority said: "Mr Cooper has a rare disease and his specialist health care now comes from the NHS Continuing Health Care Team, as it is not within the expertise of adults' services social workers.

"Our social work team has spoken to Mr Cooper's family on a regular basis and will continue to ensure they are receiving the support they need as carers. Adults' services have remained in regular contact with the Continuing Health Care Team to ensure Mr Cooper's needs are met.

"Mr Cooper's condition means he requires specialist equipment and our occupational therapy service, in partnership with health, provides this equipment.

"There have been challenges in the past in getting the bespoke equipment sourced via the provider, but we continue to work closely with the family to resolve any issues and supply Mr Cooper with the equipment he needs."