'I can't spend another winter living in a motorhome'

A MAN with an incurable wasting disease who lives in a motorhome is hoping suitable housing can be found as his condition deteriorates and winter looms.

- RICHARD YOULE

Harold Hope, who has motor neurone disease (MND), feels most at home in Swansea Marina where his friends and wider support network are and is on Swansea Council's housing list.

The 67-year-old contacted the housing department in 2023 after being diagnosed with MND and was offered a flat in Waun Wen but turned it down.

Mr Hope said he's been told he's fifth in line for a flat in the marina but has no idea how long it'll be before one becomes available. He doesn't want to live anywhere else.

"It's my fault in many respects because I don't want to move away from my social network," he said. "There is a housing crisis in Swansea - everyone knows that."

He claimed, though, that housing staff weren't able to say whether his condition afforded him priority status when he asked the question recently.

A spokesman for the council said it was doing all it could to find him a suitable place to live.

Mr Hope said basic daily tasks were becoming increasingly hard, that on some days he could hardly manoeuvre himself out of his motorhome and onto his mobility scooter, and that his legs have given way on two occasions due to muscle wastage.

He said he's lost dexterity in his hands and has to ask for help emptying his motorhome toilet cassette which he doesn't like doing.

There are four main types of MND, which affects the motor neurone nerves found in the brain and spinal cord. These nerves effectively tell your muscles what to do. The disease is usually life-shortening and symptoms differ from person to person and how quickly they progress. Symptoms can be managed with treatment but there is no cure.