Down syndrome children and their parents need State support
THE case of an Irish girl with Down syndrome who was denied adequate care by state agencies highlights the need for our government to care for all its citizens equally.
Molly’s case is with the Ombbudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, who yesterday (Tuesday) published the results of his investigation.
Molly has Down syndrome and severe autism and was abandoned at birth. Her case was first raised after her foster carer complained to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office about the level of support and services being provided by Tusla and the HSE. At a time when some countries, including Iceland, have almost no children born with Down syndrome due to terminations of the children in the womb following pre-natal testing, many Irish parents with children who have Down syndrome are worried about a growing culture against children, like theirs, and are struggling for support.
In March Norway approved pre-natal tests to determine Down syndrome in a further move to stop children being born with the condition. Instead of looking at ways through which to integrate people with Down syndrome into the fabric of society, there has been a move to close the door on them.
In Ireland, Special Olympics athletes can be found in every community and their achievements are celebrated, just as all children’s are. People with Down syndrome work in the community in many cases and – as with all disabilities – there are those who have severe and those with more moderate strains.
Molly has a severe form. She is dependent on her foster carers in all areas of her care, including feeding, toileting, bathing and dressing. She requires a wide range of therapies and services. Her foster carer complained to the OCO about the level of supports and services being provided by Tusla and the HSE. Although Molly brings joy and positivity to their home, her foster carer was struggling financially and emo- tionally to deal with her needs.
‘We investigated Molly’s case and found that there was a lack of co-ordination between the Tusla and the HSE which meant that services and supports provided were insufficient,’ Dr Muldoon said.
‘We also found that this is a problem facing many children with disabilities in care. In 2015 there were 472 children with a diagnosed moderate to severe disability in foster care, representing approximately eight per cent of the foster care population in Ireland.’
He added that Tusla has committed to undertaking a ‘systemic review’ of supports. ‘ This is an important investigation highlighting the struggles of some of our most vulnerable children, many of whom cannot speak out for themselves. Foster carers and social workers all over the country are working tirelessly to support young people with disabilities who are in care, but we cannot be dependent on individual efforts, the system must support young people to reach their full potential.’
TALK about a bad day at the office. The person who issued a false alarm warning Hawaiians of an incoming ballistic missile on Saturday can at least feel comforted by the fact that it was the system stupid. The message was reportedly issued because of a ‘ terribly designed’ user interface, a security expert said.