Unemployment and disabilty

There's a story on Today FM today highlighting the fact that 76% of paralysed people don't return to work. It's a rotten situation. What about the rest of us though, disabled people but not just the paralysed? Do we not count?

Of course arguments will be made to argue that we have total equality, but we're only equal with each other. I mean that every disability is treated with the same disdain amongst "normal' people. But within the category, some disabilities are treated somewhat differently.

I'm not picking out a single disability, but Downs Syndrome has achieved more than other disabilities have. The thing is there are so many disabilities, and they're all deserving. And the reluctance to assist people with any disability isn't a unique one. In this era of cut backs and Fine Gael/Labour imposed austerity the withdrawal and consolidation of services is having a serious impact on people. It's not limited to services either. Everything from healthcare to community based services is being targeted. Let me put it like this. If your mother, father, brother, sister, wife, husband or child became disabled, what would you do? What do you do?

It's expensive to be disabled too. If you're unlucky enough to be on your own and unable to drive you need to get a taxi. And if you live in a rural location the cost of a taxi is prohibitive.

A number of years ago, the motorised transport grant and the mobility grant were cut by the government. The only reason that was given was that it was just to expensive to operate as it was unconstitutional to have a cut off age. So if you were over 65 I think it was, you couldn't get the grant anyway. Where's the logic there? Anyhow, the thing I wanted to point out is that it hasn't been replaced with anything. If you're disabled you're stuck where you are unless you can drive or pay for a taxi, but seeing a most disabled people are unemployed that luxury is spared in order to eat. Loneliness goes through the roof as do psychological issues. Another problem that is entirely created by the policies of the current political incumbents.

So it's not as simple as saying that paralysed people have a problem with unemployment. As far as I'm concerned we're all being ignored and walked on.