A SWINDON woman with a rare health condition fears she will have to move home and be isolated from her friends and neighbours to get a much-needed wet room.

After falling and breaking her foot then later falling out of the bath, Suzanne Hancock learned she had Parkinson’s and a life-limiting brain disorder which only 11 other people in Swindon have.

This condition, known as corticobasal syndrome, has caused mobility issues and her Parkinson’s has affected the right side of her body.

The 56-year-old lives in Moredon with her partner Chris and has been trying to get their upstairs bathroom turned into a wet room.

The local authority put Suzanne at the top of the priority list for a stairlift but she claims the council will not cover the costs of a wet room installation and have instead suggested she move from her home of 31 years to a bungalow in Stratton.

Suzanne told the Adver: “The bath is just as dangerous as the stairs for me.

“My friends and neighbours check in on me but none of them drive so they wouldn’t be able to do that if I moved, I’d be so isolated, this is my world.

“Even if somewhere became available, I wouldn’t move, it’s too stressful, I cry when I think about it. I know of other council houses in this area that have had wet rooms installed, so why not this one?

“I’ve lived here 31 years, brought my children up here, but now it’s just the two of us. The council say they won’t change the bathroom to a wet room in case a family move in at some point in the future.”

The couple could pay for a wet room themselves and have it installed in what is currently a downstairs utility room - but this could cost thousands of pounds, and a fundraising attempt to pay for it has struggled to get off the ground.

Swindon Advertiser: Suzanne fell out of the bath before learning of her crippling health conditions. Picture: DAVE COXSuzanne fell out of the bath before learning of her crippling health conditions. Picture: DAVE COX

A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said a final decision about the situation has not yet been made, and added: “Our team continues to work with Mrs Hancock.”

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a rare condition which can cause gradually worsening problems with movement, speech, memory and swallowing. One limb is usually affected at first, before spreading to the rest of the body.

To help Suzanne fundraise for a wet room, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chris-hancock-2

Swindon Advertiser: Suzanne Hancock in the space she would like to have converted into a wet room. Picture: DAVE COXSuzanne Hancock in the space she would like to have converted into a wet room. Picture: DAVE COX