The undermining of people’s support and rights feels relentless, as most recently evidenced by a supreme court decision effectively destroying essential safeguards.
We cover this seismic development, which overturned a long-established test on assessing deprivation of liberty, in our current issue. It is worth reading that piece alongside a fascinating, necessary article by George Julian on the language used in court, which is often disrespectful to learning disabled people.
In contrast, we highlight the benefits of keeping people at the centre of their support and how every life has worth (concepts that seem so obvious that they should not need repeating).
Our extract from Elly Chapple’s book, Diagnosis Human, argues for society to rethink how it values people. Chapple writes of her daughter Ella: “From the very beginning, the world tried to fit her into a box that did not belong, labelling her as ‘other’. Through our shared experience, we have come to see that what is perceived as ‘different’ is not a flaw to be fixed but a truth central to our collective being.”
A similar shift in attitudes is proposed by Dr Liz Herrievan, who, like Chapple, also happens to be the parent of a learning disabled young person. Herrievan describes the “cultural change” needed if healthcare is to be more equal.
Hard to care for in hospital
An alternative perspective is offered by Saskia Baron, who explains the difficulties facing hospital staff treating her brother Timothy. Her experience shows how hard it can be to care for those who do not say when they have a problem and “have no motivation to comply with treatment”.
This does not detract from or excuse the shameful health inequalities that affect people with learning disabilities. Instead, it reflects the complexities involved, the need for more nuanced discussion about how and when people are treated and, returning to the broader themes in the Cheshire West case, the need for rights and safeguards. We need more of both, not less.
Saba Salman
Editor
