Sophie credits Habinteg wheelchair user home with improving her life | Tenant news

Gainsborough Court tenant Sophie Garland says her Habinteg home is the reason for her new-found independence and new lease of life.

Sophie, who is 33 years old, was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder in February 2020 after attending hospital for a severe ear infection. The condition meant she did not have full control of her body and, due to a brain signalling problem, she’s unable to stand.

Doctors and nurses had planned to keep Sophie in hospital for three weeks, however, the pandemic sprung up and Sophie was moved to a nearby nursing home’s dementia ward – she was 30 years old.

“The plan was for me to stay there for a month before moving into somewhere with assisted living, but that turned into 14 months. If Covid-19 didn’t exist, the nursing home would have been fine, but I was shut away in a room under strict rules.

“They didn’t let anyone in or out. Being on a dementia ward, I felt I was either treated like their granddaughter or treated like a patient with dementia. It was extremely hard on my mental health.”

New beginnings

Working with a social worker, Sophie looked at several flats just outside of Bristol before applying for a Habinteg accessible and adaptable flat. She moved into her Gainsborough Court home in in October 2021.

“I love my new flat. My mental health has improved dramatically. There’s so much space for me to move from room to room in my wheelchair, and I’m free to leave whenever I want.

“I have carers who come in four times a day, but the countertop in my kitchen is wheelchair height if I want to cook for myself, and I have an accessible bathroom. The access in the flat is fantastic, and it’s so spacious.”

Coffee and community

Another thing Sophie is enjoying about her home is the social side.

“The coffee mornings here have been great. It’s the only activity I will definitely go to as I get to socialise.

“I’m so happy in my flat now. Plus, I love the location.”