Joseph faces a difficult future. Picture by Peter Boam.
WIGHT LIVINGIT HAS been tough enough recovering from serious assault injuries and trying to come to terms with the prospect of being disabled for the rest of his life.
But Joseph Triccas is a proud and defiant man engaged in another frustrating battle — to secure suitable accommodation for wheelchair use in an area that will not leave him cut hopelessly adrift from his social ties.
Joseph, 22, was left paralysed and wheelchair-bound following a sickening attack on him just over two years ago.
Robert Cass, found guilty by a jury, earlier this month, of inflicting grievous bodily harm against Joseph, is now serving an eight-year prison sentence.
Where Cass will probably be released from jail in four years’ time to enjoy a free, able-bodied lifestyle, Joseph is unlikely to walk again.
His doctor said he will probably never work again, either.
Now, with the trial behind him, Joseph had hoped to get on with his life in as positive a way as he possibly could.
Having spent 18 months in hospital — ten months longer than he needed to, he said — Joseph had hoped to move into accommodation properly equipped for disabled use.
However, the IW Council allocated him a flat in Albert Way, on the new estate in Hawthorn Meadows, Whippingham.
The property is unsuitable for his needs and, because of its interior design, says Joseph, it leaves him struggling to manage the most basic requirements of independent living.
"The toilet is too small for me and my wheelchair, which means I have to hold onto the rails. I suffer with fits, so if I fell from the wheelchair or toilet, I would be injured and lying in an awkward position," said Joseph.
"If I had a fit in the shower, I would be alone as the Lifeline device doesn’t work in it. Again, I would be open to injury.
"The kitchen is too small and without adaptations and it is awkward to get to my fridge. Worktops and wall units are at an able-bodied height. It’s ridiculous.
"The trip switch is too high for a disabled person. My care manager advised me to activate my Lifeline alarm should that happen. The Lifeline is not for that purpose.
"Most worryingly, if there is a fire in the kitchen or lounge, I wouldn’t be able to get out through the front door and I wouldn’t be able to physically get out though the window. There is no back door."
The ground floor flat’s location has also isolated Joseph, leaving him unable to cross the busy Whippingham Road alone and it is almost a mile away from the nearest bus stop.
He cannot operate a wheelchair alone and there is no funding available for an electric wheelchair.
To get about, Joseph has to use a taxi, which is expensive and takes a big chunk out of his benefits.
There are also no shops or other facilities nearby to enable him to re-integrate into the community, he says.
Joseph has pleaded with the IW Council to reconsider its housing policy and transfer him to a property more appropriate for his needs. The council works on a points system to assess individual housing needs.
Although the council’s special needs housing panel conceded the adaptations made to Joseph’s home are unsuitable, there are no appropriate properties available for him in Newport, where he wishes to live, that could be adapted to his needs.
There is no procedure in place to appeal against panel decisions.
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| Joseph Triccas and his mother, Queenie, right, being assisted by Quay Advocacy staff Ron Kentish and Lena Patterson. |
The Island charity, Quay Advocacy, which helps to solve housing and other issues for disabled people, has since taken up Joseph’s case but has hit a brick wall.
Supporting a letter to County Hall, Quay Advocacy included a personal impact statement from Joseph, letters from his GP and consultant and photographic evidence which shows the layout of his current home, owned by Medina Housing Association.
Martyn Stanley, a senior housing officer at the IW Council, suggested in his reply to Lena Paterson, who manages Quay Advocacy, that Joseph should broaden his area of choice to increase his chances of getting a property.
He also re-iterated the decision of the special needs housing panel that Joseph had not met its points criteria, despite an adjustment increase made to his medical points.
"He needs disabled accessible accommodation, like that of a friend of his who lives in Nippert Court, Newport, who is less disabled than Joseph," said Mrs Paterson.
She accepts adaptations were made to Joseph’s flat at considerable cost but these were only suitable for people with less severe disabilities.
Joseph said he is naturally an upbeat, positive person but is concerned that living in his isolated situation is having a damaging effect on his mental wellbeing, causing him increasing distress and depression.
Appealing to the council to change its decision, Joseph said: "I don’t accept the council’s decision. It isn’t fair. To get a more suitable place would mean I wouldn’t be indoors every single day. It would mean I could rejoin the community.
"I used to have loads of mates but now I am losing touch with them. I can count them on one hand. I get very few visits from friends now. Most of my mates live in Wootton, so I’m stuck.
"I feel I’ve lost my independence. It’s been a dent to my pride as well — not being to do things myself.
"When I get up each morning I think, here’s another day sitting on my backside. I’m begging the council to move me, plain and simple. I feel they have swept me under the carpet."
As a last resort, Joseph said if he is not moved, he hopes to be able to buy his own disabled access accommodation from the criminal injuries compensation he expects to receive.
Fighting back the tears, Joseph’s mum, Queenie, said: "It really is heartbreaking to see my son in this situation. It has torn me and his dad apart completely. It’s incredible how dramatically our family life has changed in such a short time and what’s terrible is that none of it is Joseph’s fault."