It is difficult for me to challenge the President of France at this time in his country’s history but his outlook on disability is somewhat alarming (Letter to the Editor: Councillor needs to wake up and smell the ordure, January 13) just as it is for the Wimbledon Guardian to publish his somewhat offensive diatribe.
People with Alzheimers, memory loss or a lack of intelligence are not noted for being ‘caterwauling’ serial complainants. It is however noted that disability hate crime is perpetuated more often by people who buy into the media’s negative portrayal of disabled people and their impairments.
It is in the remit of Merton Centre of Independent Living to monitor such negative portrayal and to seek a better deal for Merton’s disabled people. Associating us with Councillor David Dean or any other councillor at this time of austerity, when decisions are being taken to remove social care, is of itself deeply upsetting especially as these cuts amount to £14million over four years and not all of us can read the sometimes inaccessible My Merton to get the information Mr Hollande is so fond of.
MCIL appeal to this caricature of Francois Hollande and other like minded fellows to lay off disabled people in 2015.
Richard Downes
Engagement and development officer
Merton CIL
- Send your letters to: letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
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