Access Magazine Issue April 2014 edition, published 20th March 2014.
The government’s recently announced funding for flood relief, and the contrast with its much-publicised cuts elsewhere, has lately been weighing upon Brad Francis’ mind…
With the weather verging on the biblical as I write these words, there appears to be no let-up in the rain, heartbreak and anguish. Downing Street has evidently failed to prepare for extreme weather, but the incompetence is hardly surprising. Those who are ill or disabled and unable to work in our poorest communities have been on the receiving end of this ineptitude ever since Noah took to his Ark.
I was somewhat aghast to see ‘cocky’ Cameron recently proclaim with pride and gusto, “We’re a wealthy country,” when referring to the appalling flood damage done to the middle class Home Counties and the beautiful homes along the River Thames. Suddenly we are ‘awash’ with dosh, with money no object when it comes to assisting those in dire need of government financial aid in a crisis.
Catastrophic belt-tightening
Whoa, hang on Dave! What about those disabled people who have been forced to deal with catastrophic belt-tightening as support, resources and funding have been stripped away to leave some of society’s most vulnerable people poverty stricken through no fault of their own? It makes my blood boil. There is never enough cash to help those of us in dire need of an urgent physiotherapy referral so that we can improve our worsening mobility. No money available for life enhancing occupational therapy. Never enough cash to assist some sections of the disabled community with basic human rights.
The same can be said when it comes to assessing the mental health and emotional wellbeing of people with disabilities. In my experience, disabled people are more likely to experience a great deal of worry compared to those who are not disabled. People with physical impairments such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or a spinal cord injury are just as likely to experience mental health issues as the general population – and may in fact be more likely to need and use mental health services.
I’m reminded of a friend’s continual struggles to cope with a disability that she was born with. She was bullied at school, simply for walking with ‘clicky hips’ – a term used to describe conditions involving congenital dislocation of the hips (CDH) and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
Louise is a vibrant and articulate 22-year-old cashier at my local supermarket who doesn’t consider herself to be disabled. I’m often captivated by her cheery disposition as she assists me with packing my groceries before the disapproving looks of fellow shoppers at the number of vodka bottles and fresh cream cakes in my trolley. Perhaps they’re thinking, “By Jove, the chap’s in a wheelchair – surely he shouldn’t drink alcohol?” Perish the thought…
More appropriate support
A fun-loving aspiring artist and illustrator, Louise really is an inspiration – her bravery and determination to tackle her mobility issues head on is incredible. She can’t put much weight on her left leg or walk very far, and suffers minor shoulder trauma due to hypermobility.
Yet she still manages to cycle four miles to work, sometimes in extreme weather, with her crutches attached to her bike frame.
Growing-up, Louise endured the most horrendous bullying imaginable. Not just name-calling – she was physically and mentally abused, regularly excluded from conversations and made to feel on the outside. Children can be cruel because they lack understanding, but you would hope that given more knowledge and better education the young Louise could have been supported more appropriately.
Louise’s mum accompanied her to a local support group, but her problems were not deemed to be severe enough in comparison to other people’s disabilities. With that avenue closed off, there was no money available to help her get the acute support she required. Louise has managed to retain an inspiring enthusiasm and zest for life in spite of that – but how much easier and fairer things could have been for her, had that support been there when she needed it. But then again, her family doesn’t happen to own a large house on the banks of the Thames…
