Leigh Park family could wait years for council house safe for disabled daughter, says mum concerned for 12-year-old’s wellbeing

Kayla Brombley, 30, says that the family desperately need a new property that accommodates the needs of 12-year-old Summer, but she has been told they will be waiting years for the move.

Summer, who has had six operations and is waiting for her next surgery, has serious ongoing medical issues and spends around 90 per cent of her time in a wheelchair.

Kayla said: ‘Summer suffers with muscle wastage across her whole body and will eventually be unable to do anything for herself or support her own body weight.’

Parts of their current home are not wheelchair accessible, meaning that Summer is restricted in her movements and sometimes needs to go up the stairs on her hands and knees.

Doorframes need to be widened, which is not possible due to the structure of the house.

Kayla feels Portsmouth City Council is failing to find an appropriate home for the family.

She said: ‘It’s about keeping Summer safe and giving her the quality of life she deserves.

‘Summer keeps making comments, “my legs are getting worse”. She knows it’s getting more difficult.

‘She wants to be independent but some days she can’t even brush her hair.’

The family of seven has been told they will be waiting years to be moved into the necessary adaptable unit.

Kayla and Summer are currently housed in a three-bedroom property in Leigh Park along with Kayla’s partner Philip, his 12-year-old daughter Sarah, Kayla’s other daughter Skye, seven, and the couple’s two sons Freddie, four, and Frankie, one.

Both parents work but do not have the financial resources to find private alternatives.

Kayla said: ‘No private landlords would let us make the changes, and it’s so hard to get the money for a deposit together because we’re really just relying on my partner’s wages.’

She estimates that Portsmouth City Council has spent around £20,000 to £30,000 over the last two years to adapt their current property, even though the council plans to move them.

A driveway was added to the property, walls have been demolished, and a ramp has been added to the shed door where Summer’s wheelchair is charged, but Kayla feels that this is a waste of the council’s money as Summer's conditions are worsening.

Kayla said: ‘We are extremely grateful but the money could have been spent on a better place for Summer.’

‘It’s like headbutting brick walls, we just don’t know where to turn.

‘Do they want to come out and see the day to day struggles we live with? It feels like because they’re not living it, they don’t understand.’

The family were recently moved from ‘low’ priority to ‘medium’ priority on the council’s waiting list.

A spokesperson from Portsmouth City Council said: 'We are aware of the tenants’ request for larger alternative accommodation.

‘Unfortunately due to a shortage of larger properties that would meet this family’s specific needs we are unable to provide any timescales for when they will be rehoused.

‘We will continue to work with this family to provide any assistance where we are able to.'