Lauren Greaves, 32, who has endured kidney failure, a failed transplant, and the amputation of her right leg, is medically fit to leave the hospital but remains unable to go home due to accessibility issues.
Greaves has lived with Type 1 diabetes since she was ten. Her health complications escalated over two decades, including diabulimia, gastroparesis, and severe vision loss. She was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure at age 24, requiring dialysis three times a week. In 2022, a kidney transplant offered hope, but it failed just over a year later, necessitating a return to dialysis.
In May 2025, Greaves developed Charcot foot, a serious complication of diabetic neuropathy. Despite reconstructive surgery, recurring infections led surgeons to recommend amputation. She underwent a below-the-knee amputation of her right leg on March 20.
Her previous studio apartment is no longer accessible for wheelchair use. An occupational therapist assessed the dwelling and found the doorway too narrow for independent access, and Greaves unable to reach the bathroom in her wheelchair. She would also require a commode within her living space, necessitating reliance on carers for basic needs.
Greaves is currently using a wheelchair while learning to walk with a prosthetic leg and attending regular dialysis and rehabilitation sessions. She described the loss of her leg as an ongoing grieving process, noting the significant emotional impact alongside the physical recovery. She misses her independence, having previously been able to cook and shop for herself.
Her situation highlights broader challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, including inaccessible public spaces such as uneven pavements and non-automatic shop doors.
Greaves stated she is physically fit to leave the hospital but lacks a suitable home. The local council initially offered temporary accommodation but could not confirm its location or duration. Private housing options have also been difficult due to issues with her guarantor. She is currently awaiting further communication from the council and her case worker.
She has launched a GoFundMe, organized by her sister Lakeisha, to help fund accessible housing, rehabilitation, and specialist equipment. Greaves hopes to eventually return to working with vulnerable children and young people, and desires to live independently in a comfortable home and walk confidently on her prosthetic leg.
