Home News Columnists Ken Oxley

There’s no hiding disability but stigmas still exist

Mar 1 2009 by Ken Oxley, Sunday Sun

WHAT is it about disability that makes some people feel so uncomfortable they become socially inept or, worse still, downright rude?

The question springs to mind following two separate stories this week, the death of David Cameron’s son and a disgraceful campaign against a TV presenter.

I’m not Cameron’s number one fan, but to give the man credit his attitude towards his six-year-old son’s severe disability was admirable.

Ivan, who died on Wednesday, was never hidden from view on family outings, and in interviews the Tory leader spoke about him with great warmth and affection.

Why wouldn’t he, you might ask? The answer, I’m afraid, is that while attitudes towards the disabled have changed for the better, there’s still a long way to go.

Even in these supposedly enlightened times, parents of children with cerebral palsy are confronted by ignorance or even revulsion if their offspring don’t behave “normally” in public.

A radio debate after Ivan’s death demonstrated this. Dozens of parents whose children were disabled spoke of the daily problems they faced in public places.

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