A MAN who has endured three amputations to the same leg after an accident at work is facing a legal battle to keep his car which he says provides his only independence.
Scaffolder Paul Tate fell about 12ft from a scaffold in September 2000.
But it wasn’t until a few years later that part of his leg had to be amputated as a result after a series of complications, and he’s lost even more of the same leg since.
“I only fell about 12ft, but I landed badly, just on my left leg,” said Paul, 46, of Langsett Road, New Lodge.
“I lost about eight inches of shin bone, it just shattered basically. They put me one of those big frames on which I had for a few years. But it kept getting infected.”
Paul was in and out of hospital, and eventually, about eight years after his accident, he had the devastating news that his leg would have to be amputated six inches below his knee.
Despite that, he carried on working as and when he could. He remained in the scaffolding trade, but was confined largely to driving rather than climbing ladders.
But infection lived on in his leg.
“I worked and kept involved as much as I could, but it (the infection) would flare up and wipe me out, sometimes for months at a time,” he said.
“They then had to take another inch off my leg, but I still kept working.”
But the infection continued to flare up, and it spread to his knee.
Finally two years ago, surgeons had to amputate for a third time - this time above the knee.
“It was totally devastating,” said Paul. “It keeps flaring up, I’m still in and out of hospital.”
For about 15 years Paul has been entitled to a car under the Motability scheme. It would fund the entire cost of a car, replaced every three years, but Paul chooses to pay a contribution himself to upgrade to a larger and higher car - a Ford Cougar - as he finds it easier to get in and out of.
But last year, he had to apply again for the benefit, and it was refused on the basis that he did not need the ‘higher rate mobility allowance’.
He applied again, but without success, and next month he will have to take his fight to a tribunal.
“I’m knackered without my car basically, it gives me independence,” he said. “I pull the car up the side of the house, and it’s one step from my kitchen into my car. It gets me out and about, I can get out and see the grandkids, see friends, and get to hospital when I need to.
“I had to retire altogether when the amputation went above my knee.”
To make matters worse, some years ago Paul fell when his leg gave way and badly damaged his hand. He required surgery to reconstruct it using a metal plate but he has restricted use of his hand which means he cannot push himself in a wheelchair and can’t use crutches. He also struggles to walk more than a few metres and only on the flat.
“I physically cannot get about without my car,” he said.
“I can understand the government wanting to save money. I can understand them turning people down, then the genuine people reapply to get it back.
“If they read my history over the last 15 years, and read what I’ve gone through, surely they can see I’ve got a mobility problem.”
Paul’s twin brother Graham said: “That car is his lifeline. I just can’t believe they want to take it off him. You see people who can walk about getting cars. He can’t walk, he can’t go out without someone else with him.
“He’s absolutely terrified he’s going to lose it, and I think it’s just disgusting.”
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Decisions for PIP are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist. Anyone who is unhappy with a decision can appeal, and may submit additional evidence.
“Most people leaving the Motability scheme are eligible for a one-off payment of up to £2,000 to help meet their needs.”
