The Objective
Keith Parry’s family were told a nursing home was the only option for him when he was finally discharged from hospital seven months after suffering a severe stroke. His wife Linda was adamant that he should go home, so they turned their lounge into a bedroom for Keith.
Because his bed is right next to the stairs, he’s affectionately known as ‘Harry Potter’ by his carers and local healthcare professionals, but this masks the fact that he has no privacy or facilities and is a prisoner in his own home.
His family are desperate for a new ground-floor bedroom that is separate to the lounge and has facilities (including a bathroom and wetroom) that will help restore his dignity.
Background
In December 2021, retired joiner Keith Parry suffered a stroke in an upstairs bedroom at his home. Upon dialling 999, his family were told there would be a five-hour wait for an ambulance. Friends and family rallied around, but it still took them 45 minutes to get him down the stairs so that he could be driven to his nearest hospital, where a crash team was waiting for him.
The 70-year-old was thrombolysed to break up blood clots and prevent new clots from forming – but that evening, he suffered a second bleed on the brain, which left him in intensive care for a week.
The stroke has robbed Keith of his speech and mobility.
In total, Keith spent seven months in different hospitals in South Wales undergoing rehabilitation, and healthcare professionals suggested that he be moved to a nursing home.
Wife Linda flatly refused and had a hospital bed and lifting equipment installed in the lounge of their home – where Keith has slept ever since. Because their house is at the bottom of a steep bank, his family can’t get him out of the house, so Keith has only been out of the house three times in the last two years. When Keith needs to attend medical appointments, two ambulance crews are required, and often the fire service is on hand to help as well.
The Project
Work is nearing completion on an exterior wheelchair lift to make it much easier for Keith to leave the property – but the house needs extensive renovations to create a bedroom (including a wetroom) on the ground floor for Keith.
The extension is on track to start in May 2024 and is expected to take around four weeks. Band of Builders is appealing for plant workers, bricklayers, builders, roofers, plumbers, electricians, decorators and other tradespeople to volunteer their time to help on the project.
When:
The project will begin on 4th May 2024 and will take approximately 4 weeks to complete.
Where:
Newport, South Wales
Trades Required:
Plant workers, bricklayers, builders, roofers, plumbers, electricians, decorators and other tradespeople to volunteer their time to help on the project.
Get Involved!
To register your interest, please complete the application form below or email projects@bandofbuilders.org.
You can also support the project by donating via our donate page or GoFundMe (to follow shortly).
