Monday, December 24, 2007

Upstairs, Downstairs

Did you see this story on TV3 news last night?

An elderly couple have only seen each other about 12 times in a year because she lives upstairs and he lives downstairs. Apparently the health department promised them a lift over a year ago and it hasn't materialised. We, the audience, are supposed to gnash our teeth and wring our hankies, I gather, as the National MP Paul Hutchison rails at the useless, heartless government.

Sorry but I find this scenario ridiculous. Why haven't they moved to a one storey home? Where are the friends and family who could help them do this? The husband has terminal cancer but the wife could live for years yet with MS and if she hasn't seen her partner more than 12 times in a year that means she hasn't been out of the house more than 12 times. The house is completely unsuitable. Paul Hutchison should be giving this couple better advice. Telling them Labour has made their lives miserable isn't helping.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

They both have their own living quarters for a reason - each floor is especially kitted out.

In order to move to a new house, how long would they have to finance both houses while waiting for the government to put in all that new equipment, considering how much they've screwed up the existing house on one task that should be quite straightforward?