A MUSCLE disease patient has spent the past 11 years stuck in his wheelchair 24 hours a day because of a lack of physiotherapy.

Leighton Thomas has been forced to live and sleep in his chair, leading him to be unable to move his limbs because of a lack of support.

Mr Thomas, aged 43, from Neath, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has used a wheelchair since he was a teenager.

But his dad, Ray Thomas, aged 71, said his son's body had seized because he hadn't had the care he was entitled to over the past decade.

The family are one of a number lobbying the Assembly's Cross Party Group for Muscular Dystrophy (CPG) today to tell AMs what it's like living with muscular dystrophy.

"Leighton has been in a wheelchair for 24 years, and, for the past 11 years, he's been a 24/7 wheelchair user," said Mr Thomas.

"He sleeps in the chair. His knees have locked and he can't straighten his legs.

"There's a huge concern from everybody at the moment as to how we're going to get Leighton out of his wheelchair. He can't lie on his back and he can't lie on his side for too long because it puts lots of pain on the base of his spine.

"Leighton's muscles and tendons have shortened so much that it's too late for him."

Mr Thomas said action needed to be taken to improve health services Wales-wide to help people in the same position as his son.

"He has been really let down by the health services in Wales," said Mr Thomas said. "As parents, we're still fighting for his rights."

Mr Thomas said he believed a regional care adviser in Wales — like England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have — would make a key difference to the lives of many.

The advisers give advice on home adaptations and equipment grants, along with co-ordinating care and treatment.

Mr Thomas said Welsh families had to travel to London to get basic help and advice.

The situation in Wales has led to many patients resorting to buying their own wheelchairs because of unacceptable waiting times, he added.

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk