Madam, – Disabled and ill people are not dispensable. They have often contributed a great deal to Ireland as a nation. When Ireland loses that wonderful sense of “we care about each other”, so often the byword of the Irish culture we have lost our soul and humanity.
Where were the political and HSE voices on Prime Time Investigates on the human price of the cutbacks (Monday night)? Where were neighbours, friends, relatives and colleagues of the disabled people shown? Where was “community”?
As a disabled person with Parkinson’s disease, soon to be in an electric wheelchair, I despair of the future. Should I live the rest of my life feeling I’m a “burden” on the State or shall I just jump into Dún Laoghaire harbour now? Certainly this borough seems to have given up on disabled people, leaving us adrift with poor to non-existent support, despite the beautifying of the whole seafront.
Can I ever expect this Government to give priority to the sick, disabled and elderly in this country? The politicians need to be challenged vigorously and protests should be held down O’Connell street to the Oireachtas in anger, with disabled people’s voices clearly heard.
“Cutbacks” when they mean making vulnerable people even more vulnerable are simply not just or morally right. They are a blight on our reputation as a country and portray us as a nation without care. – Yours, etc,