Jane Fennessy hasn't been able to sleep since being told of cuts.

Disabled woman fears cuts will see her lose independence

A courageous young Navan woman who suffers from severe disabilities fears she may lose her hard-won independence because of HSE cutbacks. Jane Fennessy, who lives on her own at Bailis, Johnstown, says she hasn't been able to sleep since a HSE official informed her of cutbacks to her care, which could force her to abondon her independent life in her own apartment. Her home help hours have been cut almost in half and an on-call service in the apartment block where she lives is being withdrawn. "This is a severe fire hazard. I would not be able to get out of the apartment myself in the event of an emergency," she said this week. Jane explained that she needs help to go to the toilet or even to make a cup of tea and if she drops or spills something. The on-call service was a great help to her in this way, but the new care plan she was handed by the HSE two weeks ago removes this service, she said. Jane has cerebral palsy and as well as being a wheelchair-user, and she also has difficulties using her hands. However, the intelligent 25 year-old enjoys an independent life, loves going to concerts, shopping and keeps in contact with friends and family on Facebook.