Rhoose woman with organs missing lives in 'squalor'

In 1997, former barmaid and mum of two Tracey Garrison’s life changed forever when she went to hospital and was diagnosed with 'familial adenomatous polyposis', or FAP for short.

Since that fateful day, Mrs Garrison has had five organs removed including parts of her stomach, pancreas and large and small intestines.

Familial adenomatous polyposis is an inherited condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract.

FAP can lead to thousands of polyps inside the colon or rectum – which is what doctors found when Mrs Garrison attended hospital.

The desperately sick woman is also on dialysis and suffers from diabetes, but what was really harrowing about Mrs Garrison’s situation was the conditions she is currently living in.

When the B&D went and visited the Garrison’s the phrase not enough space to swing a cat really did apply to their desperate situation.

Mrs Garrison lives in a privately rented first floor studio flat in Rhoose. The front door led directly into the main room, with a double bed and couch, the kitchen in the far corner and a small bathroom in the back.

For this, landlords charge a princely £500 and Mr Garrison, who works part time repairing car body work in Llandow, is desperate to get his wife out of this situation.

In doing this, he’s trying to apply for social housing – something he describes as “non-existent” in the Vale.

For Mrs Garrison, who was sat on the couch in the tiny apartment with grey complexion and resigned look on her face, she said she still cannot believe how her life has changed from the barmaid and mother of old.

“I just feel really run down. I feel lost, said Mrs Garrison. “My life had ground to a halt. I went to hospital one day and it changed my life.”

Mr Garrison added: “We’re both depressed. I used to be happy go lucky, now I am angry.  We are at each others throats a lot of the time because we are living like this.”

For Tracey and Mark Garrison the last six years have been hell (Image: Newsquest)

Tracey and Mark live in a flat in Rhoose that costs £500 a month (Image: Newsquest)

While the council did recognise the Garrison’s need for housing, they want on to say bids must be made for ‘appropriate accommodation’.

A council spokesperson said: “The council recognises Mr Garrison’s need for more appropriate housing and he has been awarded priority status on our homes4u system in the last year.

“However, regardless of homes4u status, applicants must bid on houses that are appropriate for their needs. Some properties may be too large or unsuitable for other reasons, including age designations on homes for older people.”

Desperately ill Tracey's living conditions (Image: Newsquest)

Tracey suffers with familial adenomatous polyposis (Image: Newsquest)

Tracey is on dialysis, has a colostomy bag and has had parts of organs taken out of her (Image: Newsquest)

Other 'horror housing' stories in the Vale:

• Barry home's rat infested walls after Newydd Housing mistake
• Barry mum says someone has to listen in damp house nightmare
• Desperate situation for young mum at Ty Ffynon House, Barry

The council went on to bemoan the lack of affordable housing in the county and explained wha they are doing to tackle housing supply.

The spokesperson added: “There is an acute shortage of affordable accommodation in the Vale which results in longer waiting times than we would like.

“The council is taking a range of actions to increase the housing supply, including expanding our own council housebuilding programme at scale and pace. However, given the high level of demand, this issue is going to take a long time to fully address.”

Got a story? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.