'A living hell.' Disabled tenants say they feel stuck inside building due to broken elevator

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An out-of-service elevator has caused headaches for tenants who live at 2079 Mohegan Ave. in West Farms. Tenants say the elevator has been down since June 30. The building is six stories and is occupied by various people who are in wheelchairs, handicapped and rely on the elevator to get in and out of their building. "My son and my son-in-law both had to carry me up because I cannot stand on my own, I have my wheelchair," said Persia Velez. Steven Ramos has skeletal dysplasia, a medical condition that makes it challenging to walk on his own. Ramos says he has been forced to leave his wheelchair downstairs because there is no way for him to get it up to his sixth-floor apartment. "It's been incredibly difficult. I had to cancel two doctor's appointments. You know, it just makes your life more like a living hell," said Ramos. Isabel Ways uses a walker and a wheelchair and says she has been stuck inside for weeks and missed four of her hematology appointments. "The catheter on my legs makes it extremely painful to go up and down the stairs," said Ways. News 12 called Paradise Management that operates the building, but they did not respond to requests for comment. The notice on the elevator says: "The elevator is currently out of service. We are waiting on the repair/ replacement of a part. We are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible." "