Half Million Disabled Families Denied Local Support Services

Scope, a registered charity supporting disabled families, continues its campaign to change the appalling circumstances the vast majority of families of people with disabilities have to deal with as a result of Government policy which has lead to the national shortage of local support.

Scope asks:

“Should families with disabled kids have better support closer to where they live? Please help tell the Government this International Day of Disabled People - Monday 3rd December.  Your message will make difference, going out just before a big event with MPs in Parliament.  It’s part of Scope’s Keep Us Close campaign to get better support for disabled children and their families.”

In a press release and email sent out to all their supporters Scope explains the details of the problem and how it has such a devastating effect upon those disabled and their families:

Having to travel long distances for basic services is stretching families with disabled children to breaking point. Many travel over 4,000 miles a year for services like schools and respite care – that’s 3 marathons distance every week.

"I'm suicidal, so is my disabled son. We're in the middle of legal proceedings to get the help we so desperately need. I've had bronchitis for three weeks as I can't rest due to having to watch the children together every minute of every day. I can't work, I rarely go out, I'm isolated. Unless this changes, I cannot continue."

More than half a million UK families face a daily challenge to get support for their disabled child. The current lack of local services and respite care makes it much harder than it needs to be. Nearly two-thirds of parents can't get the services they need in their local area and are fighting tough long battles to find them elsewhere. 

Not having the support they need near home takes a huge toll on families. Almost all parents of disabled children suffer anxiety and stress. Half miss out on the family time that many of us take for granted, like celebrating birthdays and simply playing together.

It's time to support disabled children and their families better, and with your help we could make it happen. 

The Government is putting a new Children and Families Bill through Parliament at the moment - the ideal opportunity to improve support for families with disabled children.
 
17,000 people have already contacted their MP about Scope’s Keep Us Close campaign

Please help Scope spread the word on Monday.

More info can be found on Scope's website

Source: Scope

See also: On International Day For Disabled People Have Attitudes Changed In The UK

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