Oswaldtwistle family forced to move to Liverpool for disabled son's care (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Oswaldtwistle family forced to move to Liverpool for disabled son's care

12:10pm Tuesday 22nd May 2012 in Health By Emma Cruces, Reporter

BONNY BATTLER Two-year-old Carson was born with blue baby syndrome, a hole in his heart and had to battle through numerous life-saving operations.

THE FAMILY of a youngster who has battled to survive say they have been forced to move 40 miles to get support for their son’s disabilites.

Two-year-old Oswaldtwistle tot Carson Hartley was born with blue baby syndrome, a hole in his heart and had to battle through numerous life saving operations, which have destroyed his voicebox, meaning he will never speak.

His chronic lung condition, means he has to rely on machines to breathe for him and he uses a special wheelchair.

However his family claim Lancashire’s Social Services departments and Hyndburn Homes all told them he would be ineligible for help when he came home from hospital.

Carson needs round-the-clock care and a home with a downstairs bedroom and bathroom.

However parents Kirsty Harris and Damien Hartley claim they were told by their landlord Hyndburn Homes that Carson’s health problems were in the same minor category as asthma.

Carson’s parents, who have four other school age children, made the decision to move to Liverpool, near Alder Hey Hospital, where Carson is currently being cared for, a few weeks ago after a nine month battle to gain at-home support in Lancashire.

They claim Carson would have been allowed home six months ago had a proper care package been put in place.

Now settled in Liverpool, they have already been granted a full time social worker and a care package meaning Carson could be home within a month.

Mum Kirsty Harris said: “We have no family support here and it’s been a massive upheaval changing schools for the kids.

“Nevertheless coming to Liverpool was the best thing we ever did and honestly, we should have done it when he was born.

“It was such a battle to get any help in Lancashire.

“The hospital said they’ve never had to put so many forms through for one little boy, only for them to get refused."

Lancashire County Council said the issue of adaptions up to £30,000 was the responsibility of Hyndburn Council.

Hyndburn Council was yesterday unavailable for comment.