A woman who believes the closure of Spalding Cedar House’s respite care during lockdown led to her having a heart attack has spoken of her dismay at the possibility of losing the service permanently.
Karen Ridley’s 32-year-old son Daniel has been a regular visitor of the service since he was 19.
He has epilepsy, is brain damaged, autistic and double incontinent.
“I desperately need this respite to stay open,” Karen said. “Without it, Daniel would be harder to care for, as I struggle at the moment.
“I rely on my son’s respite to give me a break and recharge my batteries.
“There is nothing in Spalding that provides respite at the level.
“An old people’s home isn’t a place for someone like Dan.
“He won’t understand where he is, he would need one-to-one care and he doesn’t like noisy places.
“He can’t talk, so can’t express what he needs. If he gets upset, he is likely to lash out and he self-harms by hitting his head etc.
“It just isn’t a suitable place for people like Dan.
“He gets upset by changes, and people he doesn’t know.
“He like routine and consistency.”
Carol Beeton’s 25-year-old son Ben has been attending Cedar House for one night a week throughout his adult life.
She learned about the possible closure after reading a report on the Spalding Voice’s website.
“Cedar House is a life saver,” said Carol. “Ben has severe autism and ADHD and he loves going to Cedar House.
“He’s with me constantly otherwise and I don’t get time to myself.
“He’s often just on his phone at home which he never is at his respite care.
“I can’t see what they’re proposing working for Ben as people like him need routine.
“Would he end up in a different place every time?”
One former user, Jenny Crunkhorn, said: “I don’t agree with young adults with special needs having to use residential or nursing homes for short breaks.
“Cedar House was designed to cater for Special Needs to cope with whatever disability. There always was a shortage of short break care availability.
“This is just another way of Lincolnshire County Council not supporting families who care for their Special Needs family member.”
Steph Jennings added: “What ever they save in cutting these costs, they will end up doubling due to the people who access these centers needing alternative care, thier main carers needing help and all in all it becoming a complete mess.
“Nothing should be withdrawn that is helping and providing a support network to families already struggling.”
