Please find a home for us and our disabled baby, say young couple
by Jo Charlton
When a young couple from New Addington found out they were having their first child they were overjoyed.
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DESPERATE: Rebecca Lock with her son Maison Coleridge Photo No: CCRPM240210E01
But Rebecca Lock and Lawrence Coleridge were devastated when baby Maison was diagnosed as being visually impaired, and suffering from cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
To make matters worse the young family have been forced to live in a two-bedroom flat with Rebecca's parents in Warbank Crescent since their son was born last June.
Rebecca, 21, said: "We need help. We have to be with him 24/7 because he cries when there's no-one around him.
"It's practically impossible to leave him, even to run to the bathroom."
Lawrence, 23, is a roofer and Rebecca was a senior sales assistant in Allders in Croydon before she became pregnant, but they cannot afford a house of their own, especially now she is a full-time carer.
They applied to Croydon Council last June to be put on the housing register but so far permanent accommodation has not come up.
Rebecca said the council offered her a two-bedroom property with a private landlord but only for a temporary period.
She needs something permanent for Maison as doctors have told her she cannot even move furniture around because his sight problems mean he might bump into things.
Rebecca said: "We can't keep changing homes because he needs to get used to the same surroundings.
"We may need adaptations and there's a chance he may need a wheelchair so we can't have stairs. They've already told us he will need a frame to help him walk."
Maison's condition means he suffers stiffness in his whole body and his mobility will also be affected, although the extent will not be known until he is older.
This week a council spokesman said: "She is now on the housing register and is approved for housing in New Addington. It is likely that she will be made an offer in about six months.
"A medical adviser has looked at her son's medical needs and has not awarded additional priority because his condition is not related to his housing and, sadly, will not be improved by moving."
Rebecca has applied to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on three occasions to get disability allowance for Maison, but two of her applications have been refused and the third is still awaiting a reply.
She said: "From what they can see, they said he doesn't need any more help than any other child.
"But we travel to London all the time, in and out of hospital, and we have a monitor under his bed in case he stops breathing.
"How is that normal?"
The DWP would not comment on Maison's case.
42 Comments
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by null, reality
Wednesday, March 24 2010, 3:06PM
“Is this the same Lawrence Coleridge that i remember... got suspended from school for punching a teacher in front of everyone??! Indeed it is. Needless to say, this kind of behaviour seems to be okay for new addington, as they hand little sh*ts like this everything they could need, minus the hard work that the rest of us need to put in. It is sad that they have a child with a disability, but so do many others out there who do have to wait the 2+ years to get a place with the council. They should be grateful that they have been offered somewhere, wether it be temporary or not. Some other families have to be placed in a bedsit whilst waiting for a place. At least its nice to see where our taxes are going. I think your tactics here are disgusting. Maybe you should have gotten a job and saved up and had a child when you had a place of your own. (instead of letting the rest of us pay for your mess)”
by 666joy, reality
Wednesday, March 24 2010, 3:05PM
“Is this the same Lawrence Coleridge that i remember... got suspended from school for punching a teacher in front of everyone??! Indeed it is. Needless to say, this kind of behaviour seems to be okay for new addington, as they hand little sh*ts like this everything they could need, minus the hard work that the rest of us need to put in. It is sad that they have a child with a disability, but so do many others out there who do have to wait the 2+ years to get a place with the council. They should be grateful that they have been offered somewhere, wether it be temporary or not. Some other families have to be placed in a bedsit whilst waiting for a place. At least its nice to see where our taxes are going. I think your tactics here are disgusting. Maybe you should have gotten a job and saved up and had a child when you had a place of your own. (instead of letting the rest of us pay for your mess)”
by Vicki, Addington
Monday, March 08 2010, 9:16PM
“now people, look this yong girl who i recognise, They have had a baby and Congrats to u and lawrence..
As for it being disabled sorry to hear about it,
They have not gone to the advertiser to shame them into accomidation, they are highlighting the fact that they are not being provided any where to live, i see others oints of views of getting a house-flat some where to live before the baby was born, but this hasnt been the case, she is not some knocked up teenager, she is 21 years of age!! perfectly able to care for a child! and is asking for help from the council, which im sure most of u have asked for help or you parents, if not lucky you!!! if this young couple was not a uk citizen im sure they would have had a place by the time they had walked out if the council office!! im sorry but its true!
So stop having a go at these people they are trying to do anything that helps there child, which im sure if u were in there position you would too!!
Good luck with the council and i hope you find a place soon”
by Astounded, The Real World
Friday, March 05 2010, 9:24PM
“Mark
For some strange reason you seem to comment more on peoples lack of grammar and inability to spell rather than making any significant comments to this young couples situation. Perhaps you should have checked the second paragraph on the last comment you posted !! Or maybe even taken the time to read what Becky had written.
Is your life so wonderful that you have forgotten what it is like starting out - or perhaps nearer the truth is that your so discontented with your own existence you have become a narrow minded unfeeling person - Unless you have something valid to comment perhaps you should keep your opinions to your self.
Becky I hope Maison is ok because he is the one that counts.
Ignore all the negative comments, if people are really naive enough to believe everything they read in the papers then thats their choice. Like millions of others already have, and millions more will do so in the future - you have approached your local council for assistance in housing and you have as much right as anyone else ! You are not queue jumping or usings Maison disability to move up the queue - only you know exactly what has happened and the unacceptable way Croydon Council have treated you
Hold your head up high, If people knew exactly what you two have been through with little Maison maybe they would not be so quick to pass judgement and be so uncaring
You are both doing an excellent job and everyone who counts is proud of you x”
by Mark, Croydon
Friday, March 05 2010, 2:47PM
“Lenny,
I understand perfectly what i read, and that is that the family are currently housed, and have been offered further housing in rented private accom for the time being until a further house becomes available that will be their home.
You seem to miss the point. They are currently living in under a roof, i am sorry for their current situation in particular with the child and his illness, but they are housed, they get benefits, they get help.
The way Becky makes out they have been working and paying their taxes their whole lives. They are in their early twenties for good sake, that hardly gives them the same right to a free life as someone in their sixties who HAVE been working their whole lives.
I dont see what the difference would have been when they had the child, whether disabled or not, they should have taken this into account when they got pregnant.”