Minister ‘to visit’ Rustington home after resident’s speech

Jackie Postance, 49, who is a resident at St Bridget’s home, in Ilex Close, was selected to speak at the Liberal-Democrat party’s national autumn conference, as part of a scheme run by Leonard Cheshire Disability.

During a meeting with care services minister Norman Lamb at the conference in Glassgow, Jackie quizzed the MP about the current situation of care for disabled people nationally.

Following her question at the debate, Mr Lamb agreed that he would make a visit to the Rustington care home.

Spina bifida sufferer Jackie said: “I arrived in Glasgow on Sunday after spending most of the day travelling from St Bridget’s in Rustington. It was pouring with rain and I was excited but very tired!

“My first meeting on Monday morning was with transport minister Norman Baker. We talked about a huge range of issues – including disability and travel, hospital car parking, the Blue Badge scheme and pavements and roads.

“After having problems on my journey with taxis, I told him about the difficulties I had using steep ramps into the vehicle. In the afternoon I met with Paul Burstow MP. We’ve been in contact on Facebook and Twitter for more than a year so I was really looking forward to meeting him in person. Paul was really friendly and I enjoyed meeting him very much.”

A date has not been fixed for Mr Lamb’s visit but Jackie is in discussion with him over Twitter.