I’m 35 stone and stuck in my tiny home – it’s like being in prison… I’d rather DIE than live here
A 35-STONE woman has revealed her torment at being unable to leave the cramped kitchen she calls her “prison”.
Illa Smyth, who suffers from arthritis, gout, asthma, incontinence and depression, struggles to get up or fit through the doors of her 13sq ft room in Gillingham, Kent.
Illa, 54, says that if it were not for her husband Alan, who has helped look after her as her health deterioriated over 20 years, she would have taken her own life.
The last time she left the three-storey terrace property was to be taken to hospital, and had to be helped out of the home by paramedics.
Illa, a former McDonald’s children’s party organiser who developed endometriosis and suffered several horseriding and skiing falls, told KentOnline: “This room is my prison.
“A dog can climb out of a kennel, a cat can get out of the window. I can’t even get out the back door.”
She feels she has lost her dignity and dreams of being able to use a shower and sit on a proper toilet instead of a commode.
Warehouse worker Alan’s mother had bought the property as a wedding present for the couple 27 years ago.
The pair have since repaid her and have no mortgage.
Alan has been trying to secure grants from Medway Council to modify the property for Illa by widening doorways, levelling outside surfaces and adding a ground floor wet room and bathroom.
But in a letter dated July 2022 the council’s adult care department concludes that Illa’s particular needs can only be met by moving to a different property.
In a written response to requests to carry out major alterations to the home, the local authority said Illa and Alan, 57, would have to pay between £55,000 and £60,000 for the work.
Only half of that could come from a disabled facilities grant from the council, with the remaining sum having to be raised by the couple themselves.
But Illa and Alan say they cannot pay for the renovations, and if they rented out a suitable flat they would soon face money troubles.
Alan said: “This our home and we don’t want to move. We have looked at other accommodation, but there’s nothing in our price range. If we rent we would soon run out of money.”
He added that the couple need a ground floor flat which is big enough for a wheelchair.
Alan says that the couple are keeping their heads above water, “but only just”.
Illa says she would like to be able to attend her Hindu temple and join community groups but instead spends her days reading books while confined to a specially-built chair.
She says she has looked into weight reduction surgery but is now on a “waiting list for a waiting list”.
In November 2023, Medway Council visited the property and found that the only feasible adaptation would be the provision of rear access.
The council did not consider works to provide bathing and sleeping facilities to be reasonable and practicable under the Disabled Facilities Grant, The Sun understands.
Illa and Alan have been told of an alternative – a Moving Home Grant to help them move to a more suitable property.
The council sent them a letter in March asking whether they wish to continue their application for the access work, and the case remains open.
In 2019, a Channel 5 programme 60 Stone and House Trapped told the story of Keith Martin, who was the world’s fattest man before his death.
In 2020, mordibly obese Jason Holton was winched from his old, third-floor flat by crane in 2020 after he ballooned to a terrifying 50st.
Modifying homes for disabled people
Disabled people who need to make changes to their homes could be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant from the council, according to Gov.uk.
People with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, age-related needs, autism, or cognitive impairments like dementia may be eligible.
Those with progressive conditions such as motor neurone disease, terminal illness, or mental health conditions may also meet the criteria for the grant.
Receiving the Disabled Facilities Grant does not affect any benefits you get.
How big of a grant you get depends on the houshold’s income and savings.
In England, grants can be up to £30,000, while those in Wales are up to £36,000, and in Northern Ireland it’s £25,000.
Some councils may give more.
Depending on income, people may have to pay towards the cost of the work to the property.
To be eligible for a grant, someone living in the house must be disabled, and intend to live in the property during the grant period – which is usually five years, but can be shorter.
The propert’s owner, tenant or landlord must submit the application.
The council must believe that the work is necessary and appropriate to meet the disabled person’s needs, and that the work is reasonable and can be done.
Planning permission must be applied for separately.
You can apply for a grant through your local council.
Disabled Facilities Grants are not availbale in Scotland.
Disabled children under 18 can get a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account.
Landlords can also get a grant without income and savings being taken into account, but the council may ask for the property to be let to another disabled person if the current tenant moves within five years.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.