Page 26 - Community Living Magazine 33-4

living a life
Living in a cotton wool cage

A lot of people with learning disabilities in Malta are restricted in what they can do, because
their families fear for their safety. Isabel Bonello and Anne-Marie Callus examine the causes and
consequences of overprotection and what can be done to address it

orried families are being Several things assist people to find a job Social life
overprotective, which is limiting and keep it, such as being able to keep Going out with friends is important for
Wthe independence of people their disability allowance even when they everyone. You can interact with other
with learning disabilities in Malta, our work and having job coaches paid by the people, enjoy yourself and be more
research has found. government to help them learn how to do independent from your family.
We carried out an inclusive research their work. Making employers have a A few people with learning disabilities in
project, with Anne-Marie Callus as the minimum percentage of disabled people Malta do go out on their own. They know
main researcher and Isabel Bonello as the on their staff also helps. how to use buses and meet friends. Others
co-researcher, who chose the subject of Some people with learning disabilities are able to travel by bus but do not have
overprotection. This was because a lot of are happy with their job but others have friends to meet, so they only go out with
parents fear letting their adult children problems, such as being given repetitive their family or for activities run by voluntary
with learning disabilities go out on their tasks, having a good relationship with groups they belong to. Some people do not
own. Even at home, they are afraid of supervisors but not with some colleagues, go out because they cannot use the bus or
letting them do things by themselves, such or not being given enough support to do not have enough money to spend while
as cooking or using the washing machine. learn how to do a job well. Issues like out with friends.
Ten focus groups were held: three with these can mean they have to stop working.
people with learning disabilities; another Another problem is that people can be
three with parents of people with learning placed on a training programme but, Parents may call a lot. One
disabilities; and four with staff who work when the funding for the scheme stops, person said that when he is
with people with learning disabilities. they are not kept on by the employer.
We asked them about work, going out Some people with learning disabilities out with his girlfriend, her
with friends, intimate relationships, public never manage to get a job because they mum keeps calling
transport, managing money and using do not find one that is suitable for them.
mobile phones. Also, some parents think their sons and
daughters are not capable of working or
Work that they will not be treated well if they do. Many parents would like their daughters
Work is important because it allows you Employers may be willing to employ and sons to go out, but worry if there is
to contribute to society, learn things, people with physical disabilities but not no one to take care of them. They also
meet people and earn money. Some those with learning disabilities. worry when they go out with someone
people in Malta with learning disabilities Finally, people with learning disabilities who is not employed to work with people
work full or part time. Many others attend may not be able to use the bus on their with disabilities.
day centres, and some stay at home for own nor have any other means of getting On the other hand, if there is a person in
most of the day. to and from work. charge they trust, parents allow their sons
and daughters to go out. Very often, it is
parents who make decisions on socialising.
People with learning disabilities would
Malta and the people who live there like to do the same things as others of
their own age. They like going out with
● ● Malta is a tiny country in the two people with learning disabilities. people with learning disabilities, but
Mediterranean made up of two Likewise, 16% of disabled people in sometimes do this because they have
inhabited islands with a total area Malta are in work, compared with 8% no other choices. They do not always
of 316km 2 of those with learning disabilities find different people to go out with and,
● ● It is home to 493,559 people, of whom ● ● The largest service provider for people when they do, others do not always treat
30,183 are disabled, with 2,585 having with learning disabilities is Aġenzija them well.
learning or developmental disabilities, Sapport, a government agency that The research participants said people
according to the 2011 census manages services including supported with learning disabilities need support to
● ● People with learning disabilities tend living, day centres and community be able to go out, and that society needs
to be more disadvantaged than those services. There is also an institution, to accept them. In this way, they can
with other types of disabilities. For as well as group homes and supported be included.
example, while the highest level of living flats run by NGOs
education completed is primary ● ● The majority of people with learning Intimate relationships
school for one in five physically disabilities live with their families well If a person with learning disabilities wants
disabled people, this rises to one in into late adulthood to have an intimate relationship, it is
important that they are given the support

26 Vol 33 No 4 | Summer 2020 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk