Man paralysed in accident denied disability allowance due to partner’s income

Following a mountain biking accident at the age of 21, Eoghan Gorman has been left paralysed from the shoulders down. Photo: Gareth Chaney

A Dublin man who suffered a traumatic spinal injury said his independence as an individual has been taken from him as he has been told he is not eligible for disability allowance.

Following a mountain biking accident at the age of 21, Eoghan Gorman has been left paralysed from the shoulders down.

Now 26, Mr Gorman spent months in hospital followed by a further two-and-a-half years in the National Rehabilitation Hospital before finally being able to return home last July.

Mr Gorman's efforts to rebuild his life since returning home have been hampered by the fact that he was told the disability allowance he had been in receipt of while in rehab were being stopped.

He was informed by the Department of Social Protection that he was no longer eligible for the payment because he lives with his partner, Saoirse, and as she is earning above €386 per week, it puts them above the threshold.

Mr Gorman said:

They just think it is fine to take it away. My financial independence is gone because my partner has a job and earns a wage which is madness really.

With no income of his own, the former Taekwondo champion said his life and ability to be independent are being severely restricted.

"As a 26-year-old individual, I should not have to go and ask my girlfriend or parents or anybody for, essentially, pocket money. It is nothing short of a disgrace and there is nothing we can do," said Mr Gorman. "Any sort of independence is literally coming to a stop."

Appeals to date have been rejected and seeking help from local representatives has been fruitless.

"They have essentially just said to me, oh that's really hard," he said.

"I would love to sit down in front of somebody like the minister for health or disability - anyone - and ask them, what would you like me to do?"

There are various payments that should be available to a person with a lifelong disability such as paralysis but none of them are truly accessible once you take into account the thresholds and limits, Mr Gorman said.

The couple feel as though the only way they could change their situation is if Saoirse quit her job or if she moves out, leaving Mr Gorman living alone and requiring 24/7 care. Mr Gorman said that they should not find themselves in a position where they might have to consider either of these options.

Eoghan Gorman's efforts to rebuild his life since returning home have been hampered by the fact that he was told the disability allowance he had been in receipt of while in rehab were being stopped. Photo: Gareth Chaney

Currently, Mr Gorman receives home care for 12 hours a day during the week and four hours on Saturday and Sunday with Saoirse providing his care outside of these hours.

"If my partner was to leave what are they going to do then because they are going to have to provide me with 24/7 care and that is going to cost them a hell of a lot more than what it costs to give me my disability per week," Mr Gorman said.

Spinal Injuries Ireland CEO, Fiona Bolger, said the means testing of disability payments is a huge obstacle for people like Mr Gorman or those who might be able to return to work as they fear losing access to allowances or medical card if they do.