Vija Randall's son Edgars Freimanis was left with a acquired brain injury after a bad car crash 15 years ago. 

Mr Freimanis, 42, of East Bay, Colchester, follows a strict daily routine and relies on vital medication morning and evening.

He should have a 20-hour care package through Essex County Council’s adult social services with personal assistants in the morning and evening.

But after Edgars’ PA resigned in May and Mrs Randall claims she has had to step in to provide all of his care needs.

Mrs Randall says the council is aware of the issue and claims she was told they are unable pay her as it is considered a conflict of interest. 

Son and mother - Edgars Freimanis and Vija Randall (Image: Adam Randall) Her husband Adam Randall, 64, said: “It has become more difficult to recruit anyone for the evening session, so Vija has been fulfilling that role.

“We asked Essex County Council and Social Services back in March if she could be paid for this work, as all previous incumbents had been, but they have prevaricated ever since, stating conflict of interest as the reason.

“In essence, they are happy to pay large sums of money to companies and strangers rather than to immediate kin.”

Mrs Randall, who is not eligible for carers allowance due to not helping for enough hours, added: “We feel ignored, unsupported, and treated as second-class citizens by the very system meant to protect vulnerable individuals.”

Over the last few months, despite chasing Essex County Council, the couple claim  Mr Feimanis still has no formal emergency care support in place, and Mrs Randall continues to provide support without payment.

The pair say they have filed a complaint to Essex County Council.

Mr Randall added: “He was involved in a bad car accident, he was in a coma, he was only just lucky to survive.

“He has to take vital medication in the morning and evening, if he doesn’t it could be dire.

“We want to highlight how unfair the system is concerning disabled people and the establishment's attitude to carers.”

The couple have contacted Colchester’s MP Pam Cox.

She said: “I was deeply moved by the situation described by Mr and Mrs Randall.

MP - Pam Cox (Image: Newsquest) “No family should have to fight this hard to secure basic care for a vulnerable loved one.

“I have written directly to Essex County Council to help resolve the case, urging a full investigation and a prompt, compassionate response.

“Edgars and his family deserve dignity, clarity, and proper support.”

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “While we cannot comment on individual cases we are committed to ensuring that vulnerable people are supported and to working with them to resolve problems  should they arise.”