Demand to let an Elstree, Herts home owner have a stair lift. Do not discriminate against her.

Some years ago my wife Carol, was injured in a head-on car crash at the infamous Stirling Corner roundabout. Since then, she has had major back, neck and leg problems. But because we live on the top floor of a 3-story block of flats, Carol is effectively trapped in our home.

There are 32 steps up to our home, so Carol only leaves our flat to go to hospital, doctors' or physiotherapy appointments before struggling back up the stairs. This completely drains her of energy; it often takes her two days to recover.

The doctors tell us that to recover from her injuries, Carol needs to get outside and strengthen her leg muscles. But when we asked the the freeholders if we could install a stair lift, they refused.

The main objection by our flats' freeholders is that a stair lift will devalue the property, but it is widely thought that the opposite is true as there are no flats with lifts in the area. Access to a higher floor is more desirable for elderly people who would like to move in; in fact, a stair lift would increase the value.