Bias against the disabled

IT IS claimed that Down’s syndrome children are facing discrimination over organ donations and some operations, so a petition is calling for equal treatment.

Sadly treatment has never been equal and I recall the case of the Hinds family in the 1980s who had to take their Down’s child to Canada for an operation which was refused here.

Indeed during debates on the pro-life Bills during that period a consultant said that when resources were scarce he considered it legitimate to refuse treatment to children with disabilities.

Yet since that time the law has been changed to make discrimination on grounds of disability illegal so if it can be shown that equal treatment is still not forthcoming then the law is being broken. It really is as simple as that. Perhaps the threat of a lawsuit will succeed in bringing about change where simple humanity has failed. BBC journalist Frank Gardner had to wait on a plane for 90 minutes because Heathrow had mislaid his wheelchair. According to reports his experience is not unique so perhaps it is as well that it has happened to a public figure with the clout to make a fuss and ensure better standards in future but what a pity it has to come to that before action is taken.

On a more positive note Gatwick North provided an exemplary service when I came back from Mauritania last week. The queue for passport control was less than five minutes, we arrived at baggage reclaim to see our luggage already on the carousels and we were at the exit within 20 minutes of landing.

I am not sure how they did it but, oh, how I wish it could happen every time!