Stars and politicians – disabled for a day

Sir, – The biggest patronising, gimmick, stunt, joke was enacted yesterday – the Day in My Wheels campaign – all thought up by a charity for people with spinal cord injuries.

Only a charity could offer this humiliating game – for walkers, politicians and celebrities – of “let’s all pretend we are wheelchair users” and bring out the media to watch.

Will they learn that if your wheelchair breaks down you wait weeks/months for repairs; if the lift breaks down you are stranded (I was once lifted three floors down by firemen)

,  that the HSE will accuse you of damaging your own wheelchair if broken ,  that the cushion you are given to sit on hurts like hell ,   that a complete stranger will “tuck you in ” when your blanket falls off, or givae s you a pat on the head, ... no, ... the  Spinal Injuries Ireland will get money, the stars will be applauded and nothing will change. It never , does.
We disabled – real wheelchair users – have done this for years, protested lack of access lack of  everything, no-one hears, nothing changes, so the “walkers ” will be heard,  or will they?
This is why many disabled people’s campaigners want rights not charity – it prevents us being presented as without a voice, only the “walkers ” can really say how it is.
How disrespectful is that? 
Yours, etc,
Dr MARGARET KENNEDY
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.