please read Elaine’s story

Elaine is my partner of 32 years and has a type of osteoporosis which has resulted in her having both hips replaced when she was in her 30s. Now at 50 one of the hips failed and due to week pelvic bone density she cannot have a hip fitted so has no hip at all on her right leg. Other joints are also beginning to fail which means she spends a lot of time in pain. I

have been her full time carer for many years now and gave up my job as a mechanic to care for her, we have in the past had a few holidays but then she had some mobility now she is totally unable to do anything for herself....we have bought a 20 year old adapted vehicle to take her out but that took the little bit of savings we had. I would like to take her to an adapted cottage for a week in the UK.

She loves to go on trips out but now only goes out 2 days a week she did get a taxi provided by social services but this had been stopped and the paths where we  live are not in a good enough state for wheelchairs. On the days that carers come to give me a break, I have to take her and bring her back from her trip out which isn't really giving me a break. Also, the taxi we use to get free costs £25 a trip which is not affordable as she only has £40 a week to go out with.

She has just had a replacement knee done but still cant walk because of having no hip in the other leg so life hasn't improved if anything its worse.