Double amputee threatens to go on hunger strike

A severely disabled man has threatened to go on hunger strike over cuts to home help hours.

“Those who thought that people like me who are very vulnerable would not react to the cuts are very wrong,” said Mr Hancock.

“I have said that as an absolute last resort I will go on hunger strike.”

Mr Hancock, 65, is a member of the Home Help/Home Care Community Action group that yesterday presented the HSE with more than 10,000 signatures demanding the reversal of cuts to home help services.

“I know what the effects of these cuts are like. They’re horrible but there are others worse off than me whose hours of care are being cut too and I am here to fight for them as well as myself.

“I know a man with terminal cancer whose home help hours have been halved from three days a week. That is inhumane.

“I also know a 94-year-old woman whose daily home help has been cut from one hour to just 30 minutes in the morning. That is just ridiculous.”

Mr Hancock, who lost his legs to long-term diabetes between 2009 and 2010, is a Dubliner who has lived in Cavan for 10 years. He is single and lives alone.

“I moved to Cavan after losing my sight because it is easier to get around.”

Mr Hancock, who no longer receives home help on Thursday mornings, said his needs were assessed by the public health nurse, although he said he did not realise it at the time.

“I always try and do as much as I can by myself so I probably talked myself out of the home help that I really need.

“If the public health nurse had warned me she was doing a review of home help I most certainly would have defended the hours I had.”

Mr Hancock said his home help was cut on Sept 17. “I sent a very detailed letter of appeal that was never acknowledged,” he said.

Mr Hancock said he wanted the health authority to have an immediate look at where the cuts have done damage to people’s quality of life.

“The trouble with this country is people don’t rise up against an issue like this, which is an attack on a critical care service.”

Mr Hancock said he would have to consult with his family before embarking on a hunger strike.

“I really believe that such extreme action may be needed at this stage to focus attention on our plight. I hope I’m wrong.”

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