35st woman stuck in "prison" kitchen says she would rather die than stay in room

A chronically disabled woman has said she would rather die than continue to live in the cramped kitchen she calls her “prison”.

Illa Smyth, who is 35st, is confined to eat, sleep and wash in the 13ft square ground floor room because her weight means that she struggles to get up or squeeze through doors.

The 54-year-old said the last time she left her terrace home in Gillingham, Kent, was to go to the hospital when she had to be assisted out by paramedics into an ambulance.

She has been isolated to one room as her health deteriorated over the last 20 years and she is unable to climb stairs.

Medway Council did grant £30,000 towards improvements in 2013, but Illa and husband Alan say they were told that this would not be enough to cover all the works needed.

The former McDonald’s children’s party organiser, who initially developed endometriosis and suffered several falls in skiing and horseriding accidents, has undergone at least 11 operations.

Illa suffers from gout, has arthritis in her joints and is incontinent.

Unable to walk unassisted the once fit and active woman has piled on the pounds and now weighs around 35 stone.

Illa has looked into having weight reduction surgery but says she is on a “waiting list for a waiting list”.

Fighting back tears, she said: “If I go to bed and don’t wake up that would be a good thing.

“I have been housebound for what feels like forever. I have arthritis, gout, eczema and depression.

“I sometimes think suicide is a good option.

"If it was not for the fact my husband is here I would have taken that option, yet I am still here.

"I do not know the date because it doesn't make a difference to me because next month and next year things are going to be exactly the same.”

Illa and husband Alan, 57, have lived in the same three-storey house in Richmond Road for all 27 years of their married life.

It was bought as a wedding present from Alan’s mother and they have since repaid her and have no mortgage.

Warehouse worker Alan has been pressing Medway Council for grants to modify the property for Illa with wider doorways, levelled surfaces outside, a ground floor wet room and a bedroom.

In a letter dated July 2022 from the council’s adult social care department it concluded that Mrs Smyth’s needs could only be met by moving to a more accessible property.

However, in their written response to requests for major adaptations to the couple’s home, the local authority says the pair would need to fork out approximately £55,000 to £60,000 for the works.

The couple have explored other options but do not have enough money to put down a deposit or rent a suitable flat either.

Alan said: “This our home and we don’t want to move. We have looked at other accommodation, but there’s nothing in our price range.

“If we rent we would soon run out of money.

“We need a flat that is big enough for a wheelchair and on the ground floor. And we could not afford adaptations on top.”