Why am I bottom of the waiting list?
THE NHS used to be the top healthcare system in the world, but since 2017 has dropped down the rankings to fourth place for access to care, administrative efficiency and health care outcomes. I am a 33-year-old woman with cerebral palsy caused by lack of oxygen during my birth. I was the second delivery of a twin birth late at night that should have been attended by senior medical staff, as such births are considered high risk. But my delivery was co-ordinated by an inexperienced registrar. I am subsequently living two lives: the ideal one in my head that I would wish to lead and the life I am condemned to have with involuntary movements and a speech defect that means I have little freedom and rely on care-givers. Many people living with cerebral palsy experience inequalities throughout their lives, but we as a society can make the world more accessible. I use an electric wheelchair and will never be able to live the independent life of which I dream. I have undergone several surgeries including an eight-hour brain operation that had little success in reducing my muscular spasms In fact, unfortunately it’s resulted in me having ongoing headaches. The pandemic has put health care services in turmoil with services deemed to be non-essential pushed further and further down the waiting list. Hands-on physiotherapy is essential to maximise my physical wellbeing and without it what little mobility I have could deteriorate. Sadly, it’s not seen as an NHS priority. Unfortunately, this is a common situation for people with a disability. No individual should have their physical, mental and emotional health deteriorate due to being at the bottom of a waiting list simply because they are disabled. The nature of most disabilities is that our condition worsens progressively the older we become. I have studied at degree level and dream of having a job, a purpose in life and an income so I am not reliant on state benefits and could pay for regular physiotherapy sessions. The doctors didn’t resuscitate me at birth for nothing. I want to make a difference to society. People with disabilities deserve equality and I am going to fight for that and be a source for change.
CAMILLE RENAE NEWBY,
Keston, Kent.