I fell in love with Paul O'Grady during our trips to the UK. I've always thought of him as both funny and wildly intelligent. He's the kind of guy I'd love to have a quick cup of tea with. My respect for him grew when I visited, upon the recommendation of one of my readers (I don't know if she'd want to be publicly identified), a website The Broken of Britain and read some of the posts. There is a lesson here for all of us, government cutbacks always cut the backs of those who have the least amount of power and the least understood voice. Paul O'Grady calls for revolution ... I agree. I don't know how we as an international community can support each other. Anyone have ideas? I'm sure you do. First watch Paul and then leave a comment with suggestions as to how we can become a community whose voice is, if not understood, respected.
I didn't find captions on this video--does anyone have a transcript?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Dave, thank you so much for this. It's fine to link my name with Broken of Britain stuff...I set it up under my real name so some of it links to that, some to BendyGirl.
ReplyDeleteYou & your readers might enjoy this video letter I made for our Prime Minister David Cameron who's late son Ivan had severe CP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qagXyuEZaE
Apologies for the lack of captions, I was repeatedly defeated by the technology!
I come from the same part of the world as Paul O'Grady...they make us feisty here ;)
Thanks again, so grateful for the international publicity a day after our government announces in an official consultation document that supporting disabled people is 'unsustainable', so far ignored by the mainstream media.
BendyGirl
Andrea, I apologize, I'm looking at having it transcribed now and hope to have it up before the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteI always love me some Paul O'Grady, but it is truly frightening to hear what's happening in Britain. I wish my addled brain could come up with something brilliant, but it's not to be (at least until I've had some more coffee). Would love to hear others ideas, though, and would be happy to participate in any way possible. The world continues to shrink, and those who were once "way over there" are now our neighbours. We need to stick together!
ReplyDeleteDear Dave:
ReplyDeleteWould already existing international groups be helpful? Disabled Peoples International or Disability Rights Promotion International? What about anything connected with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? It might take a legal challenge. Leaving people without means of mobility is unconscionable!
Just some thoughts
Colleen
Oh thank heaven there is someone else who is standing up against these awful cuts. Dave if someone comes up with something I'll be signing my name to it. The effect on the disabled community in Britain is devastating and no one seems to care. The abolition of the ILF and the proposal to replace DLA the media just haven't reported it and local authorities reducing their service provision. Community care has gone back in time 15 years and if you want a prophecy we are going back to institutional care. Sorry it is something I feel so angry about and I'm sitting around waiting for the trade unions to arrange something.
ReplyDeleteMyr