| The plight of father-of-two Sandy Gibson (33) was first reported in the Tele over a year ago. Today, his partner Lorraine McDougall claimed the unresolved situation was pushing Sandy into a depression.
He suffered horrendous injuries in a mortar explosion on a live fire exercise in Germany 10 years ago.
His injuries mean he is unable to tackle stairs at his first-floor St Mungo Terrace home and, despite support from his local councillor and Scots Guard Association, his situation remains the same. However, the council says it has offered the family a new home.
A spokesperson said, “An offer was made to Mr Gibson, which in the council’s view, met all his requirements. Unfortunately Mr Gibson turned down the offer and he remains on the waiting list.”
Meanwhile, Lorraine claims her partner is so frustrated he has now been prescribed anti-depressants. She said she fears he will be torn apart from his family and the situation is “unbearable”.
“Last year there was a lot of publicity about the case and I think a lot of people thought it had been sorted out, but it hasn’t.
“We were really hopeful it would get sorted out and we could come to some kind of agreement. I’ve been on the phone to the council every week but we never seem to get anywhere. We feel like we are hitting our heads off a brick wall.”
The family maintains it is willing to be flexible and would accept a house with internal stairs and install a stair lift themselves.
“Sandy is still unable to manage the stairs to our flat. He has to scale three flights of concrete steps and has injured himself on many occasions.
“Sandy will leave the house usually to attend doctors or hospital appointments and cannot get back as it is simply too painful.
“I cannot carry him and therefore he has had to spend nights sleeping in my cousin’s caravan in her garden with no electricity and no toilet facilities.
“Sometimes he has to miss appointments he has waited months for as he can’t get out.
“He is still strip washing at the bathroom sink every night because the council won’t install a shower because we are on a re-housing list and he isn’t able to use the bath because he is at risk of infection.”
Lorraine says they have numerous letters from a doctor supporting the family with its housing request.
Last year members of the Scots Guard Association held a two-day demonstration in the City Square to raise awareness of Mr Gibson’s plight — even though the council refused them permission to demonstrate there.
A petition was signed by 1500 former Scots Guardsmen and their families and the issue was also raised at Holyrood.
Sandy’s case has been described as “dire” by local councillor Ian Borthwick, and today he was shocked to hear the family is still living under such difficult conditions.
“I am deeply concerned his situation has not been resolved. This morning I’ve emailed the relevant people highlighting his position and asking them to review this case. I will make every effort to help him and his family.” |
