Letters - December 2007

Equality by 2025 is ‘high on government agenda’

Andy Rickell is right to highlight the challenge we face in achieving equality for disabled people (Disability Now November, Andy Rickell). He could not be more wrong in predicting that we will fail or that disability equality is peripheral to our priorities. I can assure him it is not.

I am working closely with ministers in other departments and the Office for Disability Issues to make equality for all disabled people by 2025 a reality.

I recognise there are those who may want to see progress at a more rapid pace – and there are areas where we’ve still got a way to go. But progress there is. And this progress is based on the Life Chances report, which was extensively discussed and agreed with disabled people themselves.

Indeed, if we are to create real and lasting change we must be careful to listen to all disabled people – including those who are seldom heard – and involve them directly at every stage as we plan for change and make it happen.

As this letter goes to print, Andy and his fellow members of Equality 2025, the government’s advisory network of disabled people, are holding their first public conference in Birmingham. I will be listening carefully, along with my fellow ministers, to the messages from that meeting, and will continue to take this agenda forward.
Anne McGuire MP, minister for disabled people

‘I don’t understand Thorpe case mother’

I agreed fully with the sentiments expressed by Emma Bowler (Disability Now November, Media Watch) in relation to the mother who wants her disabled daughter to undergo a hysterectomy.

I have a daughter [with learning difficulties] myself. Bethany has no speech or language, is doubly incontinent and has severe behavioural problems. She started her menstrual cycle at 13 and I've never once considered removing her womb, even though she does have some mild discomfort each month.

Even for a young [disabled] person, going through adolescence is a natural progression. I have the utmost sympathy for Alison Thorpe – but I cannot understand the comment she made about removing the womb being OK, because Katie doesn’t need it. That would be like removing the legs of someone who is paralysed.

The parents of disabled children are like any other parent – they don’t always make the right choice or decision. And is the choice for the benefit of them or their child?
Sarah Treweeks, Erdington, Birmingham

Thorpe case: ‘I know how Alison feels’

I am incensed by the one-sided views expressed in the articles relating to Angela Thorpe and her disabled daughter Katie (Disability Now November).

As the mother of a severely disabled 13-year-old girl, I completely understand why Angela Thorpe has approached specialists and doctors with a view to permanently end menstruation for Katie.

My daughter, Megan, has the mental age of a child between six and 12 months. Every month she could potentially feel discomfort from stomach cramps.

Megan cannot ask me for paracetamol and a hot water bottle and retire to bed, as I did in my teenage years. Megan has no biological need for periods. She will never have a sexual relationship, let alone children.

I am incensed at the narrow-mindedness of some “campaigners” who believe they are “speaking for the disabled person”.

I can wholeheartedly say that if you asked Megan if she wanted periods, and she was able to understand the question, and answer, I know what her answer would be.
Penny Washbrook, Colchester, Essex

Pressing for changes in hate crime law

I read with interest your article on hate crime (Disability Now November, Campaigns). Hate crime is a subject we are currently pressing for changes on, and for the correct classification of these crimes.

When you consider some of the recent cases that have reached the press, you cannot help but be appalled at the treatment of its victims. I have tried to make some internal enquires to discover how crimes have been reported but alas have had little success.

The first case is of the lady who was filmed on a mobile phone by a group, while one of them urinated on her. It appears from the reports in the press that he was convicted of a public decency offence and received three years – why were others not charged with a crime? Surely this was a joint enterprise and all would have an element of guilt. And why public decency? Why not assault?

The other case that comes to mind is the elderly gentleman who was assaulted on the tram in Croydon, resulting in him losing the sight in one eye. He uses sticks to walk. I have made enquiries if this was recorded as a hate crime, but have received no reply.

On behalf of the National Disabled Police Association (NDPA), I would offer our wholehearted support in this endeavour.
Scott Westbrook, chair, NDPA

Saddened by Ashley X doctor’s suicide

I read with some sadness of the suicide of Dr Daniel Gunther, who was at the centre of the Ashley X case (Disability Now November, World View). While I am extremely opposed to what happened to Ashley X, and now [possibly] Katie Thorpe, no-one should feel the need to end their lives over it, assuming that was the reason.

Dr Gunther should have been tried for assault and other offences, and be allowed to serve his time and reform himself, maybe becoming a positive advocate for the rights of disabled people.

We are all victims of our positions within society and it is only by negotiation and working together that we can achieve real understanding and equality.
Simon Stevens, chief executive, Enable Enterprises

Choice is the key to mainstream work

With respect to the letter about Remploy (Disability Now November, Your Views), choice is the important key to all of this. I am pleased it is possible that all jobs are now available to everyone these days, and about time too. But some people choose to work in supported employment, just because they want to, or find it impossible to work in mainstream employment.

Don’t you think everyone should have the choice to work where they want, just like everyone else does?

Peter Hain has finally realised supported employment is important and must be maintained, along with work in the mainstream if you can manage to do that.

I support what he did. Again, I want to choose.
Richard Cook, Unite member of TUC disability committee

Remembering the past embraces all

We are now less than 100 days from Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), as mentioned by Agnes Fletcher (Disability Now November, Guest Column).

We can remember the experiences of our forebears and use this remembrance to commit to a better future. We can recognise the ongoing situation in Darfur and make a commitment to challenge international responses to genocide. We can also remember all the diverse people affected by Nazi racial and social policies, including physically disabled people and those with mental health issues who faced forced euthanasia and sterilisation.

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust encourages all communities to remember the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and ongoing discrimination today and can provide support and advice for disability groups.
Louise Hector, community liaison manager, Holocaust Memorial Trust


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