'Four years after being paralysed, I'm stuck in a prison cell'

A man who was left suddenly paralysed four years ago is still searching for a suitable place to live, saying the experience had left him feeling like he is in "a prison cell".

John Bonsor said his symptoms started in October 2022 as just back pain, but within hours he was paralysed below the chest and would go on to be diagnosed with a bleed on the spine.

The 38-year-old, from Bedworth, was forced to sell his two-bedroom terraced house because it could not be adapted for his wheelchair and he moved into a makeshift bedroom in his father's converted garage.

But he cannot leave without help and there is no bathroom he can use.

"I want to get back into work, I want to do something with my life", Bonsor said, "not just be stuck in a room for years on end waiting."

The former office worker has been told he will never recover the use of his legs or stomach muscles.

"I was told that I'd never walk again," he said.

"It was a complete injury from the chest down and basically turned my life upside down."

Bonsoor spent almost six months in hospital, initially at University Hospital Coventry, followed by rehabilitation in Oswestry.

When his health started to improve, he returned home, but he realised he would not be able to stay in his own house.

"I couldn't access anything upstairs... I was stuck on a hospital profiling bed downstairs in the living room," he said.

"I knew I had to put the house up for sale."

He moved back in with his dad, in a downstairs bedroom set up in an office that had been converted from a garage.

"There's still not accessible means for me to have a shower or access to a toilet" Bonsor said. "There's no access in and out without help, [so] it becomes a bit of a prison cell."

He said the search for a suitable home, or one that could be converted had taken years and was "like looking for a needle in a haystack".

The Spinal Injuries Association said there were currently 400,000 wheelchair users currently living in unsuitable homes.

"The need for fully adapted housing is urgent," the charity said.

"A home is the foundation of our lives, and we all should be able to live in a home that benefits our health and wellbeing to allow people like John to live an independent and fulfilled life."

In the spring, Bonsor finally found a suitable home.

The three-bed 1950s house has an open-plan living area with space for a lift to be fitted, while he intends to convert one of the bedrooms into a wet room.

Those in private homes who need changes made, to be able to live independently, can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant from their local council to help cover the costs.

Bonsor had that grant agreed before he bought the property, but three months on from picking up the keys, there is still no date for when work might be carried out.

"I'm not asking for any magical sort of funds to come out of nowhere, I don't expect any of that," Bonsor said.

"I've always worked for everything that I've done - I just want my basic access needs to be met."

A Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council spokesperson said: "The council is aware of the concerns raised regarding an individual seeking housing adaptations following a life-changing disability.

"The case remains active and the council continues to work with the individual and relevant professionals to progress the necessary assessments and consider appropriate adaptation solutions.

"While we appreciate that waiting for adaptations can be frustrating, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the circumstances of an individual's case."

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