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Bristol woman’s desperate plea for help
A Bristol woman’s plea for help for her young nephew has gone viral on social media.
Lana Gayle has looked after her nephew for the past three years. She says he has hearing difficulties and a brain injury, but claims that she cannot get the appropriate help for him from Bristol City Council.
More than 34,000 people have watched a video she posted on Facebook on Monday morning:
In the video, Lana describes how hard it has been to get an Education, Health and Care Plan for her nephew.
She claims Bristol City Council have turned down her repeated requests for help: “It’s confusing to me because this is a child that has hearing impairment and a brain injury… as well as the fact that he is basically in care… it is kinship care.
“If he I was a foster carer he would be given a plan straight away but because I’m his auntie I’m not supported and nor is he – it doesn’t make sense.
“He is struggling – he doesn’t live with his mum, he doesn’t feel that he is the same and his friends,” Lana tells the camera.
Bristol24/7 have asked Bristol City Council for a comment.
Her video appeal been shared almost 800 times and some people have described similar experiences.
Read more: Five myths busted about foster care