Disabled children reveal their fears
MANY disabled children in Greater Manchester fear they won’t be able to become parents or have a stable future, a charity has revealed.
The anxieties faced by have been shared by Childline counsellors who have given them help and reassurance. In the last year the service’s Manchester base, run by the NSPCC charity, delivered 825 counselling sessions to young people from across the UK who were deaf, disabled, have special educational needs or a health condition.
Some youngsters said they were scared about their future and described feeling nervous about how their disabilities might hamper their ambitions. While others said they couldn’t picture themselves being in a loving relationship or becoming parents and feared they had no future because of their disability.
Those who got in touch asked for help with mental and emotional health, issues relating to their own disability, educational needs or health conditions, bullying, and family issues.
They had a range of conditions including autism, learning difficulties, a physical disability or mobility issues, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Nationally, the service delivered 8,253 counselling sessions to disabled youngster and teenagers youngsters in 2016/17 – a 13 per cent rise on the previous year.
Anna Krala, Childline service manager for Manchester, said: “It’s extremely concerning to see so many disabled children and teenagers contacting Childline but this could be only the tip of the iceberg.
“We know that disabled young people are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect and we need to ensure that support and advice is available to all those who could find themselves in difficult or dangerous situations.
“Childline counsellors will continue to support as many disabled young people as possible to ensure that they have the ability to live without fear of prejudice.”
The sobering figures emphasise the need to support the joint NSPCC and M.E.N. festive campaign, Light Up Christmas for Children, which aims to raise crucial funds for Childline.
Currently the NSPCC-service only has the resources to respond to three in every four contacts, meaning some young people with disabilities may not be getting through and receiving the support and advice they so desperately need.
Moved by what you’ve read? Please help Childline be there for every young person who desperately needs support. Donate £4 by texting ‘NSPCC 4’ to 70020 or visiting www.nspcc.org.uk/ eveningnews. Text costs include your donation of £4 plus your standard network rate. The NSPCC will receive 100pc of your donation.