Bad attitude to disability?
My good lady friend is somewhat disabled; due to a heart condition and to arthritis she cannot walk in comfort, and the distance she can cover before she has to stop is approximately 50 yards.
Clearly a visit to the shops – one of her great pleasures – is impossible without some form of assistance.
When she first became ill we tried a conventional wheelchair with me as the power source. Be it recorded that I never stopped in the right place or at the right distance for her to examine whatever she wanted to examine. We therefore resorted to an electric disability scooter.
It would seem, judging by your columns, that these devices are not popular with a certain section of the community. In fact, it has suggested that only qualified persons with driving certificates, insurance and tax should be allowed to drive these vehicles.I would like to know more about these objectors. I have a vision (all too common in reality, I am afraid) of able-bodied persons, Walkman or mobile telephone glued to their ears, gazing at friends and/or shop windows and expecting everybody to get out of their way. Worse, I imagine these people riding bicycles, especially in areas where it is illegal.
Disillusion me please; why should the disabled and elderly be house-bound so that you can walk about at your pleasure? Why are you not condemning bicycle riders, especially children, some of whom have no thought for anyone, as well?
Could it be that the sight of disability disturbs you? If so, what are your thoughts on those who are fighting and being wounded on your behalf abroad?
Dr D A C McNeil, Birstall
This article is published in today's Northants Evening Telegraph:
Doctor fighting religious discrimination claims
A Christian doctor who resigned from the county's adoption panel told an employment tribunal she believes children placed with same-sex couples are more likely to become gay themselves.
Dr Sheila Matthews, 52, of Kettering, who is bringing a case of religious discrimination against Northamptonshire County Council, said she began researching the issue of same-sex adoption after a training course in March 2004.
She told the hearing in Leicester yesterday: "The child is likely to be subjected to attitudes and influences which promote homosexual relationships rather than heterosexual relationships.
"This means children are more likely to consider or be involved in homosexual relationships themselves.
"Lesbian communities often present an anti-male bias and this may be difficult for boys. Boys without a father can grow up believing the father role is not important and will lack a good role model for being a father themselves or having a healthy heterosexual relationship."
Dr Matthews, a community paediatrician with the council since 1991, was on a panel responsible for interviewing couples hoping to adopt but asked permission to abstain from voting in cases where homosexuals applied to adopt due to her beliefs.
She lost her job last year but was partially reinstated to the panel without any voting rights – in both cases of homosexual and heterosexual couples. She resigned in March last year.
She said: "As a Christian, my faith leads me to believe that marriage between a man and a woman in a faithful monogamous sexual relationship is the most appropriate environment for the upbringing of children.
"The Bible is also clear that homosexual practice is not how God wants us to live."
She added: "Having considered research and opinions from different sources I became aware there was evidence to suggest that children placed with same sex couples did less well. I am aware that there are different viewpoints but I believe that there are many reasonable people who believe as I do.
"The gay lifestyle is one which attracts risks for many reasons and it is not appropriate to encourage children towards it. These risks include mental health problems, including depression, suicide and substance misuse. There is increased incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and certain cancers.
"The overarching principle of adoption is to seek the best interests of the child who has already experienced disadvantage."I believe that I am being discriminated against on the grounds of my religion or belief, a belief that is supported by rational scientific research."
Martin Pratt, the council's former head of services for children, young people and families, told the tribunal: "I asked her whether she could consider applicants on their merits. She said she could not.
"She did not believe it was in the interests of the child to be adopted by a same-sex couple.
"She said she had a religious objection and made reference to there being some research.
"Both of these were part of Dr Matthews' reasoning for her decision.
"Primarily it was a religious matter, I think. Her inability to act fully in her capacity posed a serious problem."
The three-day hearing is expected to finish today.
To Nottingham this morning for "Community in Unity", an event led by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), at the city's Council House. I'm here representing the REDP, along with Project Officer Kelly Jussab and Researcher Carolyn Pascoe.
There's a range of displays, covering different aspects of EMAS's work as well as other patient support services in the region, such as:
- Amaani Tallawah
- Awaaz Asian Mental Health Resource Unit
- Bassetlaw Primary Care Trust
- Community Building Services
- Cooperative Community Action
- Digital Switchover Help Service
- Nottingham University Hospitals Patient and Public Involvement
- Sherwood Forest Hospitals
The morning session begins with a brief dramatised presentation by Amaani Tallawah (whose name means "Peace and Impressive Strength"). This group has been supporting and empowering the African Caribbean community in Nottingham on mental health issues for over 20 years. Right after that we launch into a "World Cafe" consultation (as popularised throughout the region by REDP), involving a mix of practitioners, managers, strategists, service users, patients and their carers. What would appear to be small issues for the NHS can appear insurmountable obstacles to individuals and their families. In these times of straitened circumstances, service providers have to put their heads together and see how to tackle such issues and make the most of their resources, in terms of budgets and personnel.
- George Ballentyne - Core Partner, REDP and Equality and Diversity Officer, Leicester Council of Faiths
