A WHEELCHAIR user has been forced to give up his two beloved jobs because his free transport was axed.
Flintshire Council revoked the free transport concession for Michael Evans, 37, who has Down syndrome, following a review of his benefit entitlement.
His concerned parents Sue, and Norman, both 67, who live with their son on Wrexham Road, Mold, lodged an appeal against the decision but have since learned they were unsuccessful.
Michael, who travelled by taxi to work placement schemes at Abbey Metal, Flint, and at the County Hall canteen, Mold, has now had to give up his jobs.
Sue said: “Michael is really sad about it.
“He absolutely loved his jobs but now he spends his days watching DVDs.
“The other day he brought me his £6 wages and asked whether that would pay for his taxi.”
Council bosses revoked Michael’s free transport following an assessment of his Disability Living Allowance.
Of this allowance, Michael receives £51.40 per week to cover the cost of his transport needs. But the cost of taxis to and from work totalled £82 per week.
The couple had originally planned to drive Michael, a wheelchair user who can’t walk very far, to work but Sue, who suffers arthritis, and Norman, who has undergone heart surgery, decided they could not risk their health.
“Perhaps if it was for the short term we may have been able to take him but we just can’t face it,” said Sue.
“We’re at retirement age now. We should be winding down not racing round.
“The council want to teach Michael how to use public transport but I think that’s a stupid idea.
“To expect someone as vulnerable as Michael to use public transport, when he does not have the mental capacity to even cross a road, is beyond belief.”
A spokesman for Flintshire Council said: “Flintshire Council have fully considered Michael Evans’ situation and have no further comment to make.”
The couple have now written to Delyn MP David Hanson seeking his support.