Joined: 25 Sep 2006 Posts: 10 Location: Altona

This is in reference to an article in The Age on Thurs 4th Jan 07, pg 8.

I do not agree with this treatment but I think before people comment, they must understand some of the difficulties encountered in life.

I have submitted my thoughts, some of not very well to The Age editorial.

Hi, I am a young adult with Cerebral Palsy and have read the story about Ashley. Whilst I don’t sit well with the treatment Ashley has received, I can understand the dilemma her family in her case went through. Caring for basic personal care needs even in our very own country becomes very difficult from the teenage years, as you have to encounter Occupational Health and Safety Standards that do not allow for any carer from any agency to lift you at all without the use of machinery such as a hoist, things are hard enough let alone looking after menstruation.

When we talk about human dignity, in this case what is the difference in saying to people with physical disabilities, who can fully understand and know when they need the toilet, and in the community are told to wear a brief (equivalent of a nappy or to hold on cause we can’t lift you.) what is dignified about that?

My family can still care for me and lift me, we don’t have choices, I am lucky in that respect. What about all the people who aren’t so lucky? Whilst we have safety laws they take all the dignity away from a person with a physical disability. I am on the pill for menstruation and have been since 12, I have stayed on it as it difficult to look after, some people don’t want to and I can feel very awkward and uncomfortable.

I won’t be having kids, as much as I would like them, if people can’t even care for you outside of your house, how will they look after menstruation?

Some days I am simply worried about leaving my home, even for a few hours as I can be hoisted to the toilet at home.

For me I guess the decisions will be mine, instead of being somebody else’s to make for me.

Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 8 Location: melbourne

liz, i thank you for sharing your thoughts and stella also, i can only image the stress and complications of parents and children dealing with these issues. i hope that with such an orgainsation as ydas in australia that young women there are able to make their own choices affecting there body.
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ta ta for now