Since 1992, 3 December has marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), promoting awareness and rallying support for an inclusive and accessible society for all.
This year, the theme is focused around “Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities”. Over 11 million people in the UK are living with a limiting long term illness, impairment or disability, the most commonly reported of which affect mobility.
The statistics speak for themselves:
• Disabled people are significantly less likely to be in employment than non-disabled people. In 2012, 46.3% of working-age disabled people held employment compared to 76.4% of working-age non-disabled people. This 30.1 percentage point gap represents over two million people (Labour Force Survey, Quarter 2, 2012);
• Over a quarter of disabled people say that they do not frequently have choice and control over their daily lives (Fair Treatment at Work Survey 2008);
• Around a third of disabled people experience difficulties related to their impairment in accessing public, commercial and leisure goods and services (ONS Opinions Survey 2010).
At Complete Care, we focus on ability, rather than disability. From day one, we work collaboratively with our clients to incorporate their goals and aspirations into their bespoke agreed care plan. As well as covering all aspects of their clinical and personal needs, we’ll also take into account lifestyle choices, social interests, and ambitions for the future. The care we provide is about more than just maintaining the day to day, it’s about enabling our clients to do more – from the small, seemingly insignificant things, to grander plans.
Take Kevin, from Coven in Wolverhampton, who sustained an accident in December 2004 that resulted in C6 tetraplegia and paralysis from the neck down. Kevin is dependent on a motorised wheelchair to move around, and receives ongoing ventilation and 24-hour care from a team of Complete Care personal care assistants. In August 2013 Kevin enjoyed his first holiday in almost a decade. He chose to take a late summer cruise on the Royal Caribbean ship ‘Adventurer of the Seas’ around the Norwegian fjords, taking in Ålesund, Skjolden, Flam and Stavanger. Through careful planning, risk assessment, and regular communication with the multidisciplinary team involved in Kevin’s care, we made sure that he was able and prepared, both physically and emotionally, to embark on holiday. Kevin was accompanied by his team of personal care assistants, who ensured that he received the excellent levels of clinical and personal care and support he required throughout his trip, despite being in a foreign environment, away from the familiar routine of home. Kevin was also joined by his sons, Adam and Glen, and the family thoroughly enjoyed the wide range of entertainment and facilities on board. Kevin said: “I wish to express my deep appreciation to my carers for their dedication to my care. I felt reassured during the cruise, allowing me to fully enjoy my first holiday since my accident. I am now looking forward to the next one with confidence and enthusiasm.”
Sure enough, Kevin went on his second cruise in August of this year, accompanied once again by his care team. Find out more about Kevin’s story, and watch a video about his experience, at www.completecare.co.uk
The post Ability, not disability – celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and why spinal cord injury isn’t a reason to hold back. appeared first on Spinal Injuries Association.