Darelle Hall, a devoted mother from Croydon, South London, has made a desperate plea to the local council after enduring a grueling five-year search for a new home with the necessary adaptations to support her 13-year-old son, Isaiah Burke, who suffers from severe cerebral palsy.
Isaiah’s condition, known as spastic quadriplegia/quadriparesis cerebral palsy, affects all four of his limbs, leaving him entirely dependent on others for daily tasks like eating, bathing, and moving. Despite the challenges he faces, Isaiah remains a remarkably positive and joyful young boy, admired by both family and schoolmates for his passionate support for Arsenal football club and his love for YouTube.
However, the lack of adaptations in their current three-bedroom split-level home has created immense hardships for Isaiah. With no access to a suitable bathroom and limited space to maneuver his specialized wheelchair, Isaiah’s basic dignity is compromised, and his mental health has suffered as a result.
Darelle has been tirelessly bidding on other Croydon Council properties that would better suit Isaiah’s needs since 2021, but her efforts have been met with disappointment and frustration. She expressed her dismay at being continuously ranked second, third, or fourth in the bidding process, leaving Isaiah without the decent living conditions he deserves.
Isaiah’s mental and physical health have been further affected by his confinement to the living room, which serves as his bedroom, bathroom, and garden, due to the home’s lack of adequate facilities. Darelle highlights that Isaiah’s involuntary movements often make him self-conscious about his condition, exacerbating his anxiety and emotional well-being.
Despite reaching out to local MP Sarah Jones and numerous local Councillors, Darelle feels abandoned by Croydon Council, with little progress made in finding a suitable home for Isaiah. The family’s relocation in 2018 was a result of legal case involvement, and while Darelle made a quick decision to accept the offered house, she now faces challenges in securing a new home due to the lack of adaptations for Isaiah’s needs.
Although Croydon Council has recently offered another property, it was deemed unsuitable by Isaiah’s occupational therapist, further prolonging the family’s distressing situation.
Darelle passionately addressed the council, urging them to acknowledge the cruelty and inhumanity of leaving her son in such unsafe and inadequate living conditions. She emphasized that the situation not only poses physical risks to Isaiah but also takes a severe toll on his mental well-being, crushing his spirit.
Croydon Council responded, stating that they are actively working to help the family secure a more suitable home with the highest priority on the waiting list for a permanent residence. However, Darelle and Isaiah remain in dire need of immediate action to provide them with the living conditions that are essential for Isaiah’s well-being and quality of life
