A
personal footnote
As a disabled parent I have brought my children up to
recognise that all people are different and that there
is no such thing as ‘normal’. They know
I cannot run round with them but I am fortunate in that
I can sit and spend time with them; a luxury that many
non-disabled parents can ill-afford due to the pressures
of work. My children have learned not to take the environment
for granted and can think about the needs and difficulties
others may have due to the inadequacies of society.
They are, however, first and foremost children. They
can be demanding and selfish, sometimes still leave
shoes and toys in my way and ‘forget’ to
pick up their clothes. Nevertheless, they have learned
that me having a personal assistant does not mean she
is either a maid to them or myself. Like their friends
and children in most homes in the Western world my children
are expected to contribute and be responsible and respectful
of everyone in the house, with the usual degrees of
success.
I believe that prejudice is not inherent; it is a construction
that can be thought about and changed. When my first
child was young I helped out in his school and felt
that I was helping to ‘break down barriers’
just by being in my wheelchair, talking to the children
and the teachers, and answering their questions. I still
believe that the time for raising awareness of disabled
people’s oppression is when children are being
educated, both formally at school and informally through
books, films and TV. This and the full inclusion of
disabled children into mainstream schools will pave
the way for integrated disability awareness. This will
make the young children of our time the socially responsible
adults of tomorrow.
References
Goodman, M (1994) Mothers' Pride and Others' Prejudice.
London. Maternity Alliance
Morris, J (2003). The Right Support: Report of the
Task Force on Supporting Disabled parents in their Parenting
Role . York . Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Oliver, M. (1990). The Politics of Disablement. Basingstoke,
Macmillan
Thomas, C. (1998) ‘Becoming a mother: disabled
women (can) do it too’, in MIDRS Midwifery Digest,
vol. 8, No. 3, Sep. 1998, pp275 –278
UPIAS (1976) Fundamental Principles of Disability.
London. Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation
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