We’re working with Adam, a 33-year-old Hungarian who was working in the UK when he was hit by a car, sustaining catastrophic injuries. This earlier blog gives the background to the case. In this post Anava Baruch, our MD and Clinical Lead, looks at the challenges of helping him return home to Hungary.
If you’ve been following me on Linkedin or Twitter you’ve probably seen references to my work around helping a client with catastrophic injuries return to Hungary.
This has been an incredibly complex case to work on – the level of Adam’s injuries alone are challenging enough, without the added element of supporting his move back to Budapest.
While this has been a complex case, it’s been incredibly rewarding and I’ve learned a lot – learnings which I’m planning to share you with over a series of short blogs.
This evening I’ll be at the Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards 2017 as the guest of Warren Collins, who has been shortlisted as Claimant Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year – and was the inspiration for me to start writing expert witness reports.
I first met Warren, Partner at Penningtons Manches LLP, via Linkedin in 2015, and he’s offered me great advice, support and encouragement in my work since.
I was very happy to contribute to the PI Focus journal in My 2017. My article looked at why accommodation expert witnesses often have to look beyond the physical fabric of a building. The following is the full article.
I was thrilled to be asked to contribute to the OT Magazine recently with an article on a bath I designed for the less able. The following is the article as it appeared in the May-June edition 2017.
Last week I was looking for blank canvas for a client in an area which is densely populated. I found it! The last bungalow in the street, probate sale.
To those of you who have been following my Budapest property search I am pleased to give an update: unfortunately the perfect property I found last time was sold before we had the money to pay the deposit. I knew the property market in Budapest was moving very quickly, but I was still very frustrated when it was no longer available. However, on the plus side, I believe I found a much better one on my most recent trip. So my expert supplementary report is now ready and I am crossing my figures and toes that we get to secure this one in time.
The UK hotel business is thriving, and that’s great news. But when it comes to accessibility, there’s something wrong. Here’s the problem:
· There are still far too few genuinely accessible hotel rooms in the UK – especially outside London. This creates huge unmet demand among disabled customers, and means the tourism industry is missing out on millions of pounds of business every year.
· Despite the evidence of demand, hoteliers remain wary of creating accessible accommodation because of fears that a “medicalised” room will put off non-disabled customers, and because of concerns over installation costs.
Yesterday was another busy day as we were training a client’s carers in the home. Training in the home environment is so beneficial as we are able to assess any issues, and find the solutions, as they occur. All of the training we offer is tailored to the client, their needs and goals. Something that simply cannot be done on-line OR in an external venue.
On a bright day in December, Anava travelled to France to look at a property owned by Community Case Management Services. This company, run by Kate Russell and Maggie Sargeant, organises respite and holidays to their farmhouse in Camprond, France for people with disability and their carers. They are now developing a high-level disability suite & needed advice from a specialist Housing OT prior to starting renovation works. Anava was very happy to lend her time and expertise to develop the suite, with style and comfort in mind. Good luck CCMS, we can’t wait to see the finished project.
