'All I want is to live independently' - Waterford disability activist discusses daily struggles
Disability activist Karl Cretzan, pictured at SETU Arena during the local elections count last year. Photo: Joe Evans
Waterford disability activist Karl Cretzan is highlighting a number of issues, which himself and others have been facing.
Karl, who has cerebral palsy, has been involved in various disability groups since his youth. In the past he has spoken out against the lack of accessibility on public buses and what he describes as 'discrimination' when it comes to HSE service provision for disabled adults.
During a meeting at Waterford Cheshire Residential Centre & Respite Facility on John’s Hill last week, Karl was quick to commend all the facility’s staff for their tireless work and dedication.
He added that such facilities need more government support and staffing, and that more facilities in general are needed.
“We need more places like this so people with disabilities have places to live with the support needed to live as independently as possible. I’m trying to look into the future, I'm nearly 29, my dad is nearly 60, my mam is in her mid-50s, they can’t look after me for the rest of my life.
"I can’t get a place here because I need to be on the housing list, and I can’t be on the housing list because I own my own home. But I need 24-hour care. It’s not going to work at home when I need 24-hour care, so where do I go?
"I can’t feed myself, I can't drink on my own and all I want is to live as independent as possible."
Karl added that despite this, he has no medical card or disability allowance.
“When I turned the age of eighteen, my disability basically disappeared as I lost all my disability services, such as physio, speech therapy and more. From this day forward everything is a fighting battle.”
"Parents are messaging me because their kids are turning 18 too and are going into the same situation that I’m in. They ask me where do I go, who do I talk to?"
"Getting equipment fixed by the HSE is a lengthy process," Karl said.
"The main issue is that the HSE has one contract with a company who fixes all their equipment. It could take up to two months to get parts in. I broke my footplate in January and I only got it fixed the middle of March.
"Most people only have one wheelchair, so if their wheelchair breaks they’re housebound for at least a month, maybe two months. Our wheelchair is our legs."
An issue Karl has been active on for many years is public transport.
He says that wheelchair users are still having issues using buses.
"I’m in touch with the NTA trying to settle a date to meet them with either David Cullinane or Conor McGuinness. It’s been seven years since this issue was brought up by MaryLou McDonald for me in the Dáil, and nothing has been done."
Karl added that footpaths are also proving a challenge.
“In certain areas cars are parking on the footpath, not leaving enough space for wheelchairs to pass and there's nothing we can do.
"I have been asking for a bit of yellow paint to put a line on certain footpaths so the residents know how far in they can park, but nothing has happened."
