A disabled dad has hit out after doctors ordered him not to cut his grass, now fearing no one will be able to do it for him.
Greg McLelland has accused his housing association of discrimination after being embroiled in the ongoing dispute.
The 45-year-old has been deemed medically unfit to maintain his lawn due to severe cardiac failure which he is receiving specialist treatment for.
The dad-of-two was recently diagnosed with heart failure and was initially given five years to live reports the Daily Record.
However, after being fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) last month – a small battery-powered device placed in the chest that detects and stops irregular heartbeats by delivering shocks to the heart – he said his life expectancy has increased to 10 years.
He has been advised to go out walking to maintain general fitness but his doctor has strongly advised against any strenuous activity including mowing his lawn.
He has been advised to go out walking to maintain general fitness but his doctor has strongly advised against any strenuous activity including mowing his lawn.
He then contacted Clyde Valley Housing Association for help but he claimed that he was told that they don’t offer a grass-cutting service to tenants unless they are in a wheelchair or pregnant.
He said: “When I got diagnosed my neighbour was cutting the grass for us, but I can’t keep expecting her to do it for me and it’s costing us a fortune to pay to have it done.
“The grass was so tall we couldn’t even let our dogs out the back.
“I need to try and get something set up for the garden so my wife isn’t left dealing with this when I’m gone as she’s also disabled and both my children have disabilities. We need someone to help us.”
Clyde Valley Housing Association told Lanarkshire Live that grass cutting and garden maintenance isn’t a service that they provide to tenants.
A spokesperson added: “We continue to be available to Mr McLelland should he require any further advice or support from us.”
Collette Stevenson MSP wrote to the council requesting access to the free Care of Gardens scheme if they wouldn’t reconsider giving occupational therapy approval to Clyde Valley to install low-maintenance paving.
However, grounds service manager Colin Reid responded by saying that Mr McLelland would need to pay for the garden service, adding: “The council already have some Housing Association residents on the scheme and it is the tenants who pay for this service.”
Collette Stevenson said: “I can totally sympathise and understand Mr McLelland’s plight. He’s been trying to do the right thing to reduce the burden on his family to allow them to stay in their home. Clyde Valley rightly expects their tenants to maintain their gardens, but circumstances such as these require a tailored approach.
“Similarly, if they were South Lanarkshire Council housing tenants, Mr McLelland and his wife would meet the eligibility criteria to have their garden maintained. Mr McLelland’s circumstances are unique and I urge Clyde Valley Housing to reconsider his situation and find a compromise to benefit everyone.”
Kevin Carr, head of facilities, waste and grounds services said: “The Care of Gardens scheme is available to tenants of South Lanarkshire Council who meet agreed specific criteria; the costs for the scheme are met by Housing Services. While we sympathise with Mr McLelland, housing association tenants would need to reach agreement with their landlords about the annual charge.”
