Sorry I don't really know where this belongs, I tried looking for info on epilepsy online but have come up almost against a brick wall went to register with the Epilepsy Society but they want £50 pa to join their forum, I can't afford that, my current boyfriend has severe epilepsy & has had 10 fits today, he's currently homeless & I was wondering if there was any support out there that can help with the dangers & vulnerabilities of being epileptic & homeless, I tried moving him in with me, but he's too proud he says "I feel like I'm imposing" "I don't want to impose" "I don't want to be burden" I've tried getting him forms for the local council & housing associations but they say he's not a priority & he's just on, what seems like a never ending waiting list, this is making my stress levels go through the roof, PLEASE HELP...
Have the frequency/ duration of his seizures changed recently? If that is the case you might be able to get some support through your health care system. Is he on any medication to help control them? Generally speaking in every main city there is a epilepsy support service that he should be able to access some support of support and they would be a good help with finding housing etc.
Sorry I can't be anymore specific or helpful. Have you contacted the epilepsy society that you spoke about to see what their programs and services are, rather than their online support?
Epilespy doesn't have to be a debilitating disorder as long as their is medical support around it. I wish you and your partner the best of luck.
Let us know how it goes
life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself.
Does he have a GP? He needs to be in touch with them to make sure he is on the best medication for it -especially if the fits are getting more frequent. (I know it is hard in some places for homeless people to get to see a doctor. He maybe could say he is staying temporarily at your address.)
Housing waiting lists can be really long, but it is worth making certain they know about his condition and have medical evidence of it, as that should put him a bit higher up the list.
In the end though it is his responsibility to sort out, not yours, so don't take on more than you are able.
Hi sorry I did forget to mention he's on Epilim but can't always get his meds because he doesn't have a GP & relys upon getting a prescription from any local GP on an emergency appointment basis. I'm living in supported Gwalia housing so can't say he's staying with me, the council are aware of his epilepsy because he had a major seizure at the council offices (it scared them so much that they put him in temporary B&B, 2 days later they ripped it from under him because they told him he wasn't a priority & that there was someone else who needed it who was a higher priority) I hate the council for the way they treat people but unless you can find a support organisation that can help with supporting letters it's difficult to get prioritised. His seizures do seem to have gotten more frequent lately & more severe, but I can't force him to go to hospital, have a bed, a roof & safety & then have the disappointment of having to leave because they need the bed for another patient, so can only do my best when I'm with him to keep him safe when he's having a fit & reassure him I try to take him somewhere safe after a major episode to get a decent sleep, like a friends house, although not always ideal being on the sofa it's better that being out in the cold & the rain. Thanks for your kind replys x
How old is he? As a vulnerable person he should be entitled to council housing. Ask him to go to his local office (in the area he wishes to stay) and make a case. They're very quick. When I was homeless and presented as a vulnerable case coz of MH they said they could house me within the month.
Hi roiben thanks for the suggestions but Crisis only seem to be available in England & Scotland not in Wales, I'm already on the case of Shelter Cymru trying to sort something but their so busy it's by appointment only, hoping they can give a 24 hour number he can ring to try & get an appointment wherever he is & whether they can find him emergency hostel accomodation, or a bed at a homeless shelter. I also didn't mention our relationship is in very early days/stages & due to the stress it's causing me & dragging me down I've had to try & distance myself slightly. Am also looking for Private landlords in the Swansea & surrounding area with any empty properties including Hard to let, he'll accept anything so long as it's a roof, thanks very much for the support through this really stressful time, it really is appreciated x
Hi roiben thanks for the suggestions but Crisis only seem to be available in England & Scotland not in Wales, I'm already on the case of Shelter Cymru trying to sort something but their so busy it's by appointment only, hoping they can give a 24 hour number he can ring to try & get an appointment wherever he is & whether they can find him emergency hostel accomodation, or a bed at a homeless shelter.
Have you tried your local council? Sometimes they can offer him a place at a hostel and may be quicker (especially given the fact he has health problems) than Shelter Cymru. I dont know about Swansea, but around here our local Shelter office lost a third of it's income so actually going to the council is quicker than going to shelter itself. Also because of this Shelter only open a couple of hours a day now, so getting any help from them has become harder due to lack of funds.
Wannabe CPN : -)
"He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life." - Homer Simpson "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" Sanity is a nasty disease. The world would be a happier place without it. - Rilic
RIP Kat 4th July 1987- 11th June 2013
Hi insig, we have been to Swansea city council, Neath PortTalbot Council & Powys County Council, Swansea city put him in the b&b as in previous post & then ripped it from under him as for the rest they keep asking for more info of old addresses that we don't have door numbers & post codes from over 3 years ago, he remembers street names but not door numbers & post codes from back then he was only at his previous 3 properties for between a month & 3 months. Shelter is once a week here in the Swansea valley for 2-3 hours hence the waiting list but are excellent for getting letters of support to up your points when you can't find another appropriate organisation. I'm looking for something like MIND for epilepsy support but trying to find anything locally is practically impossible, the nearest I've found is Cardiff 50 miles away. I struggle with travelling, & Andrew struggles too, he's living on basic hardship allowance less than £50 a week to get food, wash his clothes/get new ones, get toiletries, & use local facilities like toilets & showers, it's 20p just to use a public toilet in Swansea if he has to go down to the council there, he often can't get back & spends his time between shop doorways & the toilets, doesn't really eat enough to keep a mouse alive most of the time & drinks just to keep warm, he bought a child's play tent from Argos just to try & at least get some kind of shelter only to find it wasn't waterproof. Just not knowing where he is from day to day & not knowing if he's ok or not is really getting to me, I know I shouldn't have these kind of feelings this early into my relationship but I do. Andrew is 36 so doesn't come under the vulnerable young person classification, yes he's 12 years older than me but seems very genuine & seems to treat me much better than most of my previous partners. I hope something comes up soon, wether I have to move out of supported housing & move him in with me or he gets a place, I'd rather not lose my support but if push comes to the crunch, I'll do it x
Andrew is 36 so doesn't come under the vulnerable young person classification, yes he's 12 years older than me but seems very genuine & seems to treat me much better than most of my previous partners.
Is he classified as vulnerable (other than the epilepsy I mean)? If so, try here:-
It's only temporary (up to 2 years), but they may be able to accept him (and offer him accommodation), but it may be worth a try. Of course there is bound to be a waiting list, but at least that's something.
If he doesnt qualify for their support, at least I have given you the link.
Wannabe CPN : -)
"He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life." - Homer Simpson "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" Sanity is a nasty disease. The world would be a happier place without it. - Rilic
RIP Kat 4th July 1987- 11th June 2013
Unfortunately he's already done his 2 years maximum with hafan, where he was moved from flat to flat, it's the full adresses of the 3 hafan flats he stayed at that he can't remember. I've tried contacting them about details of the adresses but because clients who live there are vulnerable they can't give that info to anyone except Andrew. Think I'm gonna ask every organisation I can think of to see Andrew & write him letters of support hopefully if we bombard the council with enough letters they'll hopefully increase his points & house him quicker, at the moment he's in a squat where he's been for 2 days, but he'll probably have to move on soon. Thanks for all your help guys will keep you updated on what happens x
x
