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Search forMum says damp Shirley flat has given son bronchitis
Friday, August 01, 2008, 07:00
Jane O'Connor says Croydon Council has ignored letters from herself and her GP complaining about the unsuitability of the one-bedroom home for sickly Kai.
She fears her nine-month-old baby could develop pneumonia too if they are not moved out of the flat in Gorse Road, on Shirley's Shrublands estate.
The damp in Kai's musty bedroom has risen up the window and the carpet had to be removed from the living room floor as it was so badly damaged by the damp.
Miss O'Connor's first child Aidan died in 2006 just three days after he was born prematurely with underdeveloped lungs.
Ever since Kai was diagnosed with bronchitis in May she has been fearing another tragedy.
The 19-year-old hairdresser said: “I just couldn't go through the heartache again.
“I'm terrified Kai's condition will get worse and I will lose him.
“He's not a healthy baby. Ever since he was born six weeks prematurely he has suffered from numerous chest infections.
“He needs an asthma pump up to six times a day and he was put on a course of steroids to help his breathing.
“But the council is not helping us. My boy is growing sicker by the day and they don't care.”
In his letter GP Thawda Win, at Spring Park Medical Practice, told the council: “Their present accommodation is damp.
“As you are aware these conditions can exacerbate the symptoms of a young child prone to colds and chest infection.”
Miss O'Connor has had to quit her job to be on hand throughout the day, in case Kai has an attack of breathlessness.
She said: “I'm terrified one day he'll be wheezing and coughing and I won't be able to get to him in time.
“I've been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and it's always at the back of my mind that I could sleep through one of his attacks, which would be a disaster.”
Miss O'Connor says a council environmental health team visited her home on July 11 and confirmed it was “damp”.
But when she chased the council up a week later she claims she was told nothing could be done.
“No one should have to live in these conditions, and least of all Kai,” she said.
“He started with a chest infection and now has bronchitis. If things carry on he will catch pneumonia and that could be fatal.
“I am begging the council to listen to me now, before it is too late.”
When the Advertiser approached the council a spokesman said: “We are looking into this as a matter of urgency”.
IT ISN'T HEALTHY HERE: Jane O'Connor, son Kai and partner Max Quinnell, 21, in their council flat
Pic by Ian Stratton
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