When Politics and Real Life Collide

It was heartbreaking this morning to hear of the death of Ivan Cameron, the six-year-old eldest son of Conservative Party Leader David Cameron. I do not think it is often that the business in the House of Commons is disrupted, but the Punch and Judy politics that usually take place on Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Question Time were cancelled today, out of respect.

David Cameron has been a strong advocate of the National Health Service, due in no small part to his experience as a parent of a severely ill child. Ivan had Ohtahara syndrome – a very rare, life-limiting epileptic syndrome that occurs in childhood. That, along with Cerebral Palsy, meant that Ivan required 24 hour care, and often from his father at 2am in the morning.

It is hoped that the family will be comforted in their grief by the amount of good will messages sent to them today. I hope it will increase awareness of epilepsy and cerebral palsy amongst the population at large.

Out of the Mouths of Biggoted Parents

I and many other people are outraged that parents want  Childrens’ BBC presenter Cerrie Burnell taken off air because she only has one arm and is “scaring” their kids. How criminal that she only has one arm!!!! How on earth are we going to get rid of prejudice if children are not given access to all sections of society through the media.

There is little enough representation of those of us who are “different” on these channels. How are children going to develop fair and balanced views if they are constantly exposed to the biggoted vieat home. Let’s hope that the children realise that there is not something seriously wrong with those disabled people who dare make themselves known, but with their parents for harbouring these horrible prejudices.