A PEMBROKE couple have spoken out about their daily struggle – a struggle they say could have been avoided with faster medical treatment.

Terry and Joan White, 61 and 69, of Whitehall Avenue, are both registered disabled.

Their problems began in October 2007, when the couple hired a disabled chalet to visit family in Kent.

The first time Joan used the disabled shower at the chalet, the seat collapsed and she crashed to the floor, injuring her back.

The couple later won a £5,000 compensation claim from the chalet company, but Joan’s back pain has got steadily worse and she has been “almost bedridden” since December 2011.

In early 2010, Joan sought medical advice and paid £920 to for a private x-ray and MRI scan, which revealed she had two disks in her upper spine trapping the spinal cord and needed urgent surgery.

After seeing a doctor at Withybush Hospital in September 2010, she was referred to a consultant at Morriston Hospital.

More tests followed, but in September 2012 Joan was told things had deteriorated to such a degree the consultant would not be prepared to operate.

Joan has since been in and out of hospital, but without any improvement.

“Surgery was my only hope,” she said. “Life’s grim. My life consists of coming out of the bedroom to the bathroom. It’s agonising.”

Joan also has other health problems, including cataracts, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia and osteoarthritis.

“By not doing the surgery on time, they completely ruined my life and my husband’s life,” said Joan.

“I can’t use my mobility scooter or get in the car, I can’t go anywhere or do anything.

“I have no hope and no future. This is not our doing. This is all somebody else’s fault.”

The situation is also difficult for Terry, who was taken to hospital with a suspected heart attack last month (October).

“As it happened, it was just angina, but this was all brought on by the stress of the situation,” he said.

“I’m now a full-time carer and it’s a real struggle.”

He added: “We are not looking for some vast financial payout, we just want the treatment we deserve, and a better standard of life – not just for us but for the many people all over this country who are being thoroughly let down.”

A Hywel Dda Health Board spokesman said: “"This patient is in contact with the health board and we have visited her to clarify her situation with her."