Down’s syndrome - Promises broken

THE prime function of a government is to protect its citizens. In the circumstances, Labour TD Pat Rabbitte has highlighted the case of Leslie McCabe, a 16-year-old Down’s syndrome girl who has been left on the waiting list for speech therapy.

Leslie has been attending special education at St John of God’s, but because of pressure on services she has not been able to get the speech therapy she needs since October 2006.

Minister of State at the Department of Education Seán Haughey says Leslie has been referred to St John of God’s speech and language service and is on its waiting list for assessment.

With proper education people with Down’s syndrome can do for so much for themselves. It is an outrage that they are being denied the necessary help by uncaring authority.

Our politicians shared in the limelight and milked the public acclaim during the Special Olympics a few years ago. They are now exhibiting sheer hypocrisy by returning to the old indifferent ways.

Politicians or civil servants who do not care about the most vulnerable, are unlikely to care about anybody else, other than themselves. We should all demand protection from that ilk.