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MS man's human rights 'violated' MS man's human rights 'violated'
(about 1 hour later)
A charity claims a council's refusal to pay for an accessible toilet for a man with multiple sclerosis (MS) could be a violation of his human rights.A charity claims a council's refusal to pay for an accessible toilet for a man with multiple sclerosis (MS) could be a violation of his human rights.
Charles Vawdrey can not access his bathroom, but his wife Alison said she has been told she must pay the first £35,000 towards a new toilet for him. Although Charles Vawdrey cannot access his bathroom, his wife Alison said she has been told she must pay the first £35,000 towards a new toilet for him.
The MS Society Cymru has called on Denbighshire County Council to allow the family "some dignity".The MS Society Cymru has called on Denbighshire County Council to allow the family "some dignity".
The council said it was willing to meet the couple to discuss their situation.The council said it was willing to meet the couple to discuss their situation.
MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults in the UK, and it is thought about 85,000 people suffer from it.MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults in the UK, and it is thought about 85,000 people suffer from it.
It is the result of damage to myelin, a protective sheath surrounding fibres of the central nervous system.It is the result of damage to myelin, a protective sheath surrounding fibres of the central nervous system.
Mr Vawdrey was diagnosed in 2002 and has had to use a wheelchair since 2004.Mr Vawdrey was diagnosed in 2002 and has had to use a wheelchair since 2004.
There is a possibility that Charles' human rights have been violated by this appalling treatment Judi Rhys, MS Society CymruThere is a possibility that Charles' human rights have been violated by this appalling treatment Judi Rhys, MS Society Cymru
As well as being unable to access the toilet, he can only shower once a week when social workers take him to a local facility.As well as being unable to access the toilet, he can only shower once a week when social workers take him to a local facility.
He and his wife Alison applied for help from the council to have a new, accessible toilet installed, and her income was assessed by the council.He and his wife Alison applied for help from the council to have a new, accessible toilet installed, and her income was assessed by the council.
Despite being the only breadwinner, Ms Vawdrey, a physiotherapist, said she has been told she must pay the first £35,000.Despite being the only breadwinner, Ms Vawdrey, a physiotherapist, said she has been told she must pay the first £35,000.
However, she claims the whole project will only cost an estimated £24,000, meaning she could get no financial assistance whatsoever.However, she claims the whole project will only cost an estimated £24,000, meaning she could get no financial assistance whatsoever.
She said: "I've lost count of the amount of times I have to pick Charles up off the floor as he's tried to get to the toilet. It's dangerous."She said: "I've lost count of the amount of times I have to pick Charles up off the floor as he's tried to get to the toilet. It's dangerous."
'Basic sanitation''Basic sanitation'
Their case has been backed by the MS Society Cymru.Their case has been backed by the MS Society Cymru.
Judi Rhys, the charity's director, said: "There is a possibility that Charles' human rights have been violated by this appalling treatment.Judi Rhys, the charity's director, said: "There is a possibility that Charles' human rights have been violated by this appalling treatment.
"In the 21st century, it can not be right to deprive a disabled man a grant that will allow him to use the toilet, use a shower, and have access to basic sanitation that most of us take for granted." "In the 21st Century, it cannot be right to deprive a disabled man a grant that will allow him to use the toilet, use a shower, and have access to basic sanitation that most of us take for granted."
A spokeswoman for Denbighshire Council said: "We cannot comment on specific cases but we are willing to meet the couple to discuss their circumstances.A spokeswoman for Denbighshire Council said: "We cannot comment on specific cases but we are willing to meet the couple to discuss their circumstances.
"Any request for home adaptations are are assessed against criteria set by the council but individual circumstances are also taken into account." "Any request for home adaptations is assessed against criteria set by the council but individual circumstances are also taken into account."
On Wednesday the first World MS Day hopes to unite individuals and organisations and help them raise awareness of the condition.On Wednesday the first World MS Day hopes to unite individuals and organisations and help them raise awareness of the condition.