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The following letter was published in The Age today in response to the Oct 16 article "Disability watchdog hits out" A Stepping Stone
THE Community Visitors’ Report revealed the ...plight of people with profound acquired brain injuries who live in locked facilities such as Mary Guthrie House in Kew (“Disability watchdog hits out”, The Age, 16/10). Although these people have very high needs, they do not need to live in locked institutions. We have seen more than 10 people similar to those at Mary Guthrie house move from an institution to living in the community. Greg was married with children when he sustained a severe brain injury. He spent the first year in a locked unit. However, after 3 years in rehabilitation (in a facility that no longer exists) he was able to live on his own in a suburban unit with 35 hours of disability support each week.
Unlike the 11 people stuck in Mary Guthrie House Greg had access to specialist accommodation and people with expertise in managing his challenging behaviour. A specialist transitional living service is required to provide a stepping stone from places such as Mary Guthrie House to community living.
It makes sense from a human rights perspective and will also save money.
Di Winkler, Summer Foundation, Blackburn
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Last Updated on Monday, 19 October 2009 14:51 |
