Disabled man hit by funding cuts

A DISABLED man fighting to live an independent life, has had his funding cut by social services.

Cruel cuts mean that Westfield resident Neil Simmons can only visit Rye’s ARRCC activity and respite centre once a week instead of three times.

The crushing blow has left him feeling isolated and upset.

Neil, 45, who lives alone, has suffered from cerebral palsy since he was a child and uses a wheelchair.

He has been involved with ARRCC since the charity was formed in 1998 and serves on it’s board of directors.

Neil describes ARRCC as a lifeline: “All my friends are at ARRCC. If this were taken away from me I would have nothing to do all day.

“I would end up riding around on a bus just to get out of the house.

“I cannot even use the village shop here as it does not have a disabled access.

“I have been hammered for 40 percent of my support package.

“I have tried talking to and writing to social services but they are not interested.

“I feel as if I am dog’s mess on the bottom of their shoe.

“ARRCC is an essential part of the quality of my life.

“The funding package enables me to live independently yet they cut the support I get at home to two blocks of three hours a week.

“When you are in a wheelchair and have to travel into Hastings to use the supermarket a three hour block can go on just one shopping trip.”

Irna Mortlock, from ARRCC, said: “This place is a family for people.

“In many cases it is all they have got.

“ARRCC opens a massive number of doors.

“It has enabled Neil to try horse carriage driving near Woodchurch.

“ARRCC is about opening doors and developing a quality of life that people would not otherwise have.”

Neil said: “Adult social services in East Sussex holds ARRCC up as a flagship model for helping people to remain independent and yet it is cutting the funding of users.

“I feel as though I am being punished for fighting to be independent.