Dear Sir,
This country has been on a remarkable journey over the past century. Over a hundred years ago, children and adults with severe learning difficulties were locked in asylums, often spending their whole lives without human contact. During the Middle Ages ‘lunatics’ were thought to be the work of the devil – today we treat people with learning difficulties with the respect and the dignity every human deserves.
And so, how appalled I was to read Mr Robson’s letter last week. Of course, in Mr Robson’s world view those who are not ‘normal’ should be hidden from view – or worse. Regular readers will remember his past comments about his desire for a restoration of public floggings. To describe those with special needs as ‘violent people into the community’ marauding the streets leaving people in ‘danger of assault’ is at best naïve ignorance, at worst insulting and offensive.
The fact of the matter is, people with learning disabilities can be unpredictable. Having a severely disabled sister I know this too well; many people in this community who spend their time caring for disabled family will feel the same. Yet, I am extremely proud of the tolerant society we live in where people treat those with learning disabilities with care and tact. They should never be hidden from view.
I would invite readers to think back to the horrendous scenes from Romanian orphanages which made headlines after the fall of communism – there, Mr Robsons view was followed through with devastating consequences.
Peter L Davies
Ashfield
