AN elderly woman has been left disconnected from her friends and family for more than three months after her phone line was cut off by mistake.
Back in November, Doris Bacon, who is 88 and lives in the Lancer House retirement complex, in Butt Road, Colchester, suddenly had no access to the internet or her telephone after her connection was taken down.
She was told by BT there had been a mix-up where a nearby resident had told the firm they no longer needed connection and Mrs Bacon’s address was cut off instead.
Mrs Bacon was disconnected until December, when the issue finally appeared to have been resolved, however, at the end of January she was left without any connection once more.
It has left the pensioner feeling lonely as all contact with her family has become impossible, meaning her daughter, Carole, has had to visit her daily to ensure she is OK.
Read more: Knifeman sends chilling 'someone's getting killed' text before blade attack
Carole turned to the Gazette having reached her wits’ end.
She said: “When I would arrive she would be in such a state.
“She has a 92-year-old sister who she Facetimes all the time but now she’s got herself so upset she can’t explain to her what’s going on.
“She says she feels so isolated and cut off. She’s immobile but her head is fine and she’s always phoning her friends for a chat.
“I’m just at the end of my tether with it; if something happens to her I wouldn’t know until maybe it was too late.
“I was having to run up daily before I managed to establish constant contact with the complex’s reception.
“It brings me to tears the state she is in and it’s like banging my head against a brick wall when trying to fix it.
“I’ve had excuses after excuses and I’m pulling my hair out. I am continually being given a date by BT and then this is pushed back. I’ve had enough of it.”
After being contacted by the Gazette, a BT spokesman said the company will cover the cost of a mobile phone with credit for Mrs Bacon.
He added: “We’re very sorry for the delay in re-connecting Mrs Bacon’s landline and we’re working urgently to resolve this.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel