SOLUTIONS – Des North says revisit policies and provide more respite
“Decongregation makes a lot of sense, but it needs to be looked at again.”
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Author: Allen Meagher
About The Author
Allen Meagher is the founding editor of 'Changing Ireland'. Linkedin: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/allen-meagher-33a1601a
MOTIVATION – Reluctant campaigner Tony Murray tells his family’s story
Tony Murray and his wife Susan are the parents of Aoife (42) whose future they fear for. Around October last year, Tony set up a campaign group called ‘Before We Die’. He and fellow members have since met the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister Norma Foley and many politicians. Minister Foley acknowledged the group’s work “advocating for increases in the provision of residential services for people with disabilities”. Here Tony tells his story:
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EXPERIENCE – Community worker never felt so empowered
Sheila is a community worker and also the parent of an adult child with an intellectual disability and recently joined ‘Before We Die’. Her experience with the group has been most empowering. However, she does not wish to be named and she explains why here.
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ANALYSIS – Who wants change “before they die”?
• An estimated 20,000 families in Ireland caring for adults with intellectual disabilities face a crisis. There is no state plan for when the parents die.
• Opening more respite housing would ease the pressure.
• Easing overly strict regulations would help service providers to expand capacity.
• It may be time to revisit policies related to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
