A DOTING husband has one Christmas wish this year -- to bring his wife back home.
Aaron Broome has spent the past year fighting to have his home altered to accommodate his wife Jenny, who suffered a stroke more than 12 months ago.
Although his Second Avenue home, in Accrington, is a private address, Aaron can apply to Hyndburn Borough Council for special disability funding. So far, claims Aaron, only work on an £8,000 lift has been started.
The alterations were also to include hoists from the bathroom to the bedroom, another hoist downstairs, and a new specially-adapted bathroom.
The 35-year-old said: "I just think she should get what she requires now from the state to get some sort of life back."
Aaron and Jenny's heartache began last summer, when Jenny was pregnant. first thought was a migraine turned out to be a very rare brain stem stroke. As she fell into unconsciousness Aaron had to save her from choking and she was taken to hospital where she was placed in intensive care.
Aaron, who works for a Bolton printing firm, was told to prepare for the worst -- yet Jenny made a miraculous recovery, astonishing everyone, including the doctors.
Over the next four weeks she learned to communicate with a letter board and regained some movement in her arms.
But then, another tragedy struck.
The baby Jenny was carrying had developed kidney problems and the couple were told it would be still-born. Because of the length of pregnancy termination was not an option and she had to deliver the baby.
Jenny, 22, was given drugs to induce the birth and left alone with Aaron in a delivery room. Amy Alice was later cremated.
Aaron said: "I felt so upset, God knows how Jenny felt. "I went back into the room and she was just crying like you can't believe. Jenny still won't talk about it."
Jenny was moved into the rehabilitation unit at Burnley General Hospital where Aaron said she made great strides. Jenny's speech improved and she started breathing unaided, Soon she was strong enough to sit up in a wheelchair.
But, Aaron believes that his wife has sunk into depression since last Christmas while waiting to move back home.
Almost a year later, essential alterations to their house have still not been carried out.
Hyndburn Borough Council's planning department said it was aware of the case and was being investigated. The actual planning officer was not available to comment.
Jenny, who is now quadriplegic, spends weekends at home but Aaron wants her home full time -- and for Christmas.
He said: "It is our memories and love for each other that gets us through and our hope that even if we can get a small percentage of what we had before, then we have something to look forward to."
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