Can Salisbury’s retired plasterers help a man with asbestos-related lung disease?
Posted: 1st Oct 19 10:41 AM
A man diagnosed with a crippling lung disease caused by asbestos dust and fibres needs help from anyone who worked for A H Wardle (Plastering Contractors) Ltd, in Salisbury, or alongside the firm’s plasterers.
Ronald Edwards has been diagnosed with diffuse pleural thickening. The condition can be caused by past exposure to asbestos dust. There is no cure for the disease and in severe cases it makes everyday tasks impossible.
The father of four and grandfather to six, was very active up until about a year ago. He was living alone, gardening, shopping and walking the dogs every day. That was until his daughter, Shelley Stewart, noticed that he was starting to struggle with his breathing and energy.
Shelly says: “He’s got a lot worse over the past couple of months. He has his good and bad days but sometime he can only walk about 15 steps and has to stop, especially in the recent warm weather. He struggles to do just the silly little things like water the garden – he just can’t do it anymore.”
“It’s been very frustrating for Dad. Just a year ago he was living independently and active and coping on his own. It’s like a big rug has been pulled from under him and his life. It’s very hard for our family to watch. He’s living with us now so we can help him and keep an eye on him,” says Shelley.
Ronald, aged 81 from Warminster, was exposed to asbestos while working for A H Wardle (Plastering Contractors) Ltd. He was a plasterer with the company for more than 34 years during the 1960s and through to the 1980s.
Asbestos was a popular building material because of its fireproof and insulating properties. As part of his job as a plasterer, Ronald worked in homes and factories taking down old ceilings and walls, which would have contained asbestos. He also worked alongside plumbers and laggers as they insulated pipes with asbestos material.
With the help of the National Asbestos Helpline, Ronald and his family are making an industrial disease compensation claim for Ronald’s pain, suffering and future care costs.
Jan Garvey, from the National Asbestos Helpline, says: “Asbestos-related diseases like pleural thickening take decades to develop and after such a long time it can be difficult to confirm where and when exposure to asbestos dust occurred. This is why we’re appealing for help from anyone who worked for – or alongside – A H Wardle (Plastering Contractors) Ltd.
“Did you work with Ronald Edwards? What where the working conditions like? Where did you work? Were you aware that the houses and factories contained asbestos? Please get in touch if you have any memories of working for or with A H Wardle (Plastering Contractors) Ltd. It will make a real difference to the quality of care and support that Ronald and his family needs going forward.”
Diffuse pleural thickening refers to the thickening of the lining of the lung, called the pleura, which is a thin layer that covers the inside of the rib cage and the outside of the lungs. It hardens the lining of the lung over a 10 to 50-year period. As well as breathlessness, a sufferer can develop a debilitating cough, tiredness and weight loss.
Anyone with information about A H Wardle (Plastering Contractors) Ltd and the presence of asbestos, please call Jan Garvey on 0808 274 9185 or email jan@nationalasbestos.co.uk. Your details will remain confidential.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, such as diffuse pleural thickening, mesothelioma or asbestosis, get in touch with us today.
Further reading
Pleural thickening and pleural plaques – What are the differences?
