Parents of disabled are tired of being tired
While my daughter can look forward to many more years of education, my son unfortunately may not.
At 18 my daughter can choose to broaden and further her education as is her right.
My son, who loves his education just as much and both needs and benefits from it even more, has no such right.
The Year of the Disabled has come and gone, and except for the Special Olympics, we felt untouched by it in our house.
The Government is currently spending our taxes on a campaign to prevent discrimination against people of different racial backgrounds, and yet it continues to allow this State-sponsored discrimination of its own citizens.
These citizens may not all be able to vote or pay taxes, but their parents, friends and relations can, and do.
We are tired of being ignored and fobbed off, tired of waiting, tired of caring 24 hours a day and tired of being tired.
At some point anger overcomes this weariness and we need to shout twice as loud because we speak for those who can't speak for themselves.
On behalf of my son, who skips down the drive to the school bus every morning, I'm asking for rights-based legislation now.
Linda O'Callaghan,
41, Rochestown Rise,
Cork.
