What a year 2020 has been. Lock downs, isolations, difficulties in getting the support needed to get from one day to the next. Do Not Resuscitate (DNRs) orders imposed on people because of a perceived lack of value to a society struggling with a pandemic. These DNRs, in many cases, were overturned as they were found to be imposed illegally. More and more people turning to foodbanks to at least be able to eat for the next few days and that includes disabled people. Trouble getting delivery slots while trying to book online shopping. Problems getting access to your GP or dentist. Not being able to visit friends and family or to be visited by them. Local councils, Social Care all being increasingly difficult to access. And we are still being hassled by the DWP and its so-called support system with its interminable assessments, reassessments and the inequality with the different benefit systems. For disabled people, many of whom already faced substantial barriers to full participation in society, 2020 not only highlighted these barriers but raised them higher.
This year has been very difficult for most of us but we hope everyone has as good a festive season as possible in spite of the restrictions we all face. We’ll be back again next year continuing to fight for disabled people’s rights as always. Until then we hope everyone can stay safe, warm and fed.
