No power connection leaves disabled Dunstable woman stranded

A DISABLED woman has been left housebound after her request for a plug socket to charge her mobility scooter was rejected by a council.

Tarisa Howe, 40, who lives in a Central Bedfordshire Council property for elderly and disabled people in Kingsway, Dunstable, received the news that her plea had fallen on deaf ears this week.

Miss Howe said: “They’re willing to take away a disabled person’s independence.

“There’s no good reason not to do this.

“I’ve looked at other housing options to see if they might be better equipped but there’s none out there, unless you’re over 55.”

Miss Howe previously charged her scooter by running an extension cable from her flat to outside, but that was deemed a safety risk by a surveyor.

She’s now worried this could also mean having to give up her dog.

Miss Howe suffers from a number of disabilities, which include systematic lupus, arthritis, scoliosis, fibromyalgia and asthma and is cared for by a close friend.

She said: “I’m due to undergo surgery on both knees in the coming months and have bought this so I can still get about, but with no easy way to charge it that option has been taken away.

“It could mean I have to give my dog away as I can’t afford to keep paying for people to walk her for me.”

Luton on Sunday contacted Central Bedfordshire Council for a response but the authority did not respond in time for our deadline.