News: June 2009
"Public transport, not 'able-bodied only' transport" - MS Society Cymru calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to make public transport accessible for all
MS Society Cymru is calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to take action to stop disabled people from being stranded on railway platforms.MS Society Cymru is working with the Welsh Liberal Democrats to get all-party agreement on a motion in the National Assembly calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to draw up an action plan to make public transport accessible to all.
Steve Neal, a member of the MS Society from Wrexham, has been living with MS since 1990 and using a wheelchair since 2002. He commented, "I am always worried about using the train in Wales in case I am stranded at the other end. Travelling from Wrexham to Cardiff is not so bad, but even then, if the train arrives back too late and the station staff have gone home, the lift is locked and you could be stranded on a platform. I recently had to get a taxi from Shrewsbury to Wrexham, because my train would have got to Wrexham General after the lift had been locked. I would never risk taking to Prestatyn or one of the other smaller stations in North East Wales. The train could pull away and you would be left there."
MS Society Cymru is holding a small demonstration and collecting petitions outside Wrexham General on Monday 1st June at 8.30am to support the debate in the Welsh Assembly on Wednesday 3rd June.
Judi Rhys, Director of MS Society Cymru, added, "We are calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to bring forward plans to develop true 'public' transport in Wales, not just 'able-bodied only' transport. With only 45% of railway stations providing wheelchair access to the platform and the train, and 83% of stations being unstaffed, most people in wheelchairs, using a frame, or even parents with pushchairs, are reluctant to take the train home, as there is high chance of being stranded."
June 2009
MS Society Respite Care Review
The MS Society is currently undertaking a UK wide review of respite care. To help make sure we get a true picture of what people affected by MS need and want from respite care, we've put together a survey. It's available for people with MS, their families and carers and opens on 1 June.Find out more>>
As part of the wide-ranging review of respite care that the MS Society is currently undertaking, we will be hosting two focus groups in Wales.
We will be asking participants to give their opinions of what respite care needs they have now or may have in the future and their preference regarding how these services should be made available
The focus groups will be held on:
Wednesday 24 June 2009 at St. Mellons Hotel in Castleton, Cardiff
(This focus group is for people with MS)
Wednesday 1 July 2009 at Ramada Jarvis Swansea
(This focus group is for carers of people with MS)
June 2009
MS Cymru Annual Awards: Let’s celebrate the stars of the MS community in Wales!
2009 sees the launch of the MS Society Cymru Awards!The awards will recognise and celebrate individuals and groups, volunteers and professionals, from across the MS community who are making a real difference to the lives of people affected by MS in Wales.
Do you know someone who deserves an MS Cymru award?
Find out more
June 2009
"Denbighshire Council has let us down" - Wife of Dyserth man with MS speaks out against the council
A mother of two from Dyserth has accused Denbighshire County Council of letting her family down, after demanding she paid the first £35,000 for having a new accessible toilet installed for her husband at their home.Charles Vawdrey was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2002 and since then his condition has steadily deteriorated. He has had to use a wheelchair since 2004, and is now unable to access his bathroom or toilet at home.
Charles’ wife, Alison, had her income assessed by the council, and even though she is a physiotherapist and is the only bread winner in the family, Denbighshire County Council assessed her as needing to pay the first £35,000.
Alison Vawdrey described the situation as "desperate." "I’ve lost count of the amount of times I have to pick Charles up off the floor as he’s tried to get to the toilet – it’s dangerous," she added.
Violation of Charles’ human rights
MS Society Cymru are campaigning on behalf of Charles and Alison Vawdrey to push Denbighshire County Council to help this family.
Judi Rhys, Director of MS Society Cymru, commented, "We are deeply concerned that Charles Vawdrey’s human rights may have been violated by Denbighshire County Council. At present, Charles is unable to access a proper toilet at home and can only have a shower once a week, when social workers take him to a local facility."
In 2002, the London Borough of Enfield, was taken to the European Court of Human Rights, because the authority refused to adapt a property so that a disabled woman could use the bathroom. The woman was deprived of her dignity by the Authority and it was a breach of article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right to respect for family life.
Judi Rhys added, "There is a possibility that Charles’ human rights have been violated, by this appalling treatment. In the 21st century, it can not be right to deprive a disabled man a grant that will allow him to use the toilet, use a shower, and have access to basic sanitation that most of us take for granted. MS Society Cymru calls upon Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that Charles and his wife can at last have some dignity."
May/June 2009
Raffle Prizes Required!
Do you work for a company that would be willing to donate a few items or experiences for our raffle prizes this year? We have a few events coming up and raffles are a great way to boost the income from the day.We’re looking for anything from chocolates and alcoholic tipples to balloon rides and holidays!
If you have any ideas or could point us in the right direction, please contact Iestyn Evans, Fundraiser, on 029 2078 6676 or email Iestyn Evans
May 2009