A DISABLED 17-stone man is suffering distress and humiliation by being forced to live in his sitting room because he cannot get upstairs.

Paul Lewis' mother and full-time carer Sylvia has claimed landlord Wyre Forest Community Housing has told her an extension to their Kidderminster home with a new bathroom and bedroom would be too expensive.

However, a company spokeswoman insisted an extension was still a possibility.

Thirty-seven-year-old Paul sufferers from Down's Syndrome as well as a twisted spine and has been confined to the ground floor of the Jubilee Drive house for more than three weeks.

He has been in a wheelchair almost permanently since a viral infection two months ago. Paul Lewis, who is confined to the ground floor of his Kidderminster home, with mum Sylvia.

Mrs Lewis, 58, said he has no access to the bathroom - so has to use a commode and be washed downstairs.

"It's taking his dignity away," she said.

And Mr Lewis, who is mute, gets upset when he cannot spend the night in his bedroom surrounded by his beloved wrestling memorabilia.

"It breaks his heart if I say he has to stop downstairs. He gets very distressed because he can't talk - he's trying to express to me he wants to go upstairs and I have to say no.

"All he does is cry."

Mrs Lewis said she has already hurt her back trying to help her son upstairs and added her 67-year-old husband cannot help because he has suffered a heart attack and a stroke.

She added she does not want to move because she has just redecorated the house.

Fiona Law from the housing company said an occupational therapist had decided the house was not suitable for a stair lift.

But she added: "They've actually had quite a lot of work done to the property already - a walk-in shower, a ramp to the front door and some grab rails outside."

The occupational therapist is now considering whether an extension is possible, the spokeswoman explained.

If it is, a quote for the work will be obtained and a bid for money submitted to Wyre Forest District Council.