Justice for LB - Day 26 - First Note's Action

Justice For LB

 DAY  26  of  #107days  of  ACTION 

'Justice for LB' is a nationwide campaign that looks to raise awareness to the tragic death of Connor Sparrowhawk on July 4th 2013. This case has raised an enormous amount of concern about the lack of health and social care support and provision for young learning disabled people across England. The results of a recent report explores how the NHS have failed (and continue to fail) to offer appropriate support and "provide even basic care" to people with a learning disability.

This is LB, a young Autistic 'dude' who drowned at NHS unit

Connor Sparrowhawk, aka LB (laughing boy), died under the care of the staff at an NHS treatment unit. It has been reported that the unit in which he was held had made many failings whilst caring for him and his mother, Sara, is now looking for answers. 

#JusticeforLB's campaign has hit the "big-time" with individuals, groups and organisations coming together to join the fight. LB was in the NHS treatment unit for 107 days... Therefore, the campaign '#107Days of Action' has come about. 

To follow the actions, please go to: www.twitter.com/JusticeForLB


 LB's family need answers and WE need to help and make sure this kind of malpractice never happens again. Not only are answer needed, but it takes a long time and is going to cost thousands of pounds in legal costs.

 JOIN THE FIGHT! 

First Note have been touched by LB's compelling story and have therefore decided to get involved by dedicating a song in support of the #Justice4LB campaign and in loving memory of LB.

For the full story and some inspirational blogs, please use these links - share, like and help us spread the word!

 We're doing our bit... now you do yours! 

Youtube Video: BBC Radio 4's interview with Sara, LB's Mother

LB's Fighting Fund: sarasiobhan.wordpress.com/about/

LB's mum's Blog: mydaftlife.wordpress.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JusticeforLB

Twitter: www.twitter.com/JusticeforLB

Also, GeorgeBlogs explains the story a lot better than I ever could, click on the link below to learn more... 

http://georgeblogs.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/my-50-thousandth-tweet-justiceforlb-lbbus/

 Day 26  Monday 14th 2014 

 First Note's Action 

About First Note

For those that don't already know, First Note is an all-ability community music group based in Luton, Bedfordshire and work with many people who have varying abilities and disabilities. One thing we stand for is allowing all members of our community to have a voice. This empowerment is priceless. Through music we can unite people because, it goes without saying... music is power! 

So please, enjoy our video in loving memory of LB. 

Music allows us to come together in hard times and we hope in making this that we can raise much needed awareness to this campaign and all other kinds of malpractice across the country. 

About the Song

This song was written because of Luton's diverse community. It combines English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi and is about joining together in celebration. Whether it's right or wrong, we tend to judge each other on whether we're able-bodied, disabled, black, white or purple! When really, we all share the same existence and experiences that life has to offer. We have one great thing in common.. We are all human. So whilst LB's story is very tragic and has touched the hearts of many people, perhaps something positive can come from this? Maybe we can give some inspiration to allow voices to be heard? Maybe society can grow and change...? One voice cannot be heard.... but maybe many voices can!!

 Points  for  Discussion 

Re-educating Our Society

One thing in particular that really rang true with me is what Sara, LB's mother, so poignantly pointed out in her interview on BBC Radio 4... She comments on how disabled people are seen to have less of a life and therefore its assumed that they can never aspire to anything else beyond their disability. I experience this on a weekly basis and it's very sad to watch. But we cannot change this entire out-dated view single-handedly. First Note think that as a society it is important that we change people's outlook and re-educate their perception of disabled people. We have a responsibility to offer every opportunity for disabled people to be heard and teach them how to use their voices.

In my experience, it's all very well giving disabled people a voice but after years of not being asked to use it, they haven't a clue what they want. In most cases they've always been told what they need. And whilst its difficult to maintain this "new" attitude due to an inconsistent approach throughout a vast range of services in any one persons life, the quandary that springs to mind is that in order to be treated like an adult they should be more independent and take decisions in life. However someone with an inability to understand the responsibilities that comes with that may find it very difficult. We can help them, but my question is - can they handle that responsibility? Every person is different and that's whats makes this so hard. It's a debate that I could go on about forever - and that's only scratching the surface.

The great thing about First Note is that we have enabled disabled people, we've given them a voice and sparked a flame inside of them. But going out into the community, how is it used? I don't know if it is for the good or if it will provoke trouble for some? It doesn't take much to be misunderstood. What helps First Note is that we are not just for disabled people. We have many different members from all corners of the community - that is inclusion right there. We are the lucky ones - we can see beyond the social barriers...

What's sad is that some members of First Note - grown adults - have never been treated like... well.... adults! So if we continue to keep people in a disabled role then they will never grow and get on in the wider community. If we wrap them up in this "disabled/health care world" and that's all they ever know then we will be forever walking in circles and never evolve. We need to allow people to see disabled people as people, not stare at them or pity them... but realise that they have a life; they have likes, hates, loves, arguments, interests. Sometimes I feel like people look at my good friends as if they were aliens from another planet.... Being part of a community is that we embrace everyone's uniqueness. That's what I love about First Note, it's like a family. In the same breath I'll also tell you that we argue and annoy each other just like a family would too. But I don't feel bad because they're disabled... I think "You're an adult, this is real life...". If we treat disabled people like children then we can't expect society to not treat them like children. 

Our Local NHS

During a discussion of LB's story, the group raised a suggestion for future practice so we can do as much as we can to do better job in safeguarding ourselves. 

To be honest, we're not so sure how the systems in other hospitals work, but the Luton & Dunstable Hospital have two specialist nurses that solely dedicate their services to patients with learning disabilities. Yes, it may not be a specialist unit, but they are specialists nevertheless. These specialists are on hand to explain difficult things to patients and act as an advocate between general staff and patients. Is this available everywhere because if not, it should be....?

Also, maybe we can educate our sons and daughters that if they have a disability or medical needs, then they express it at every opportunity possible so hospital staff are aware of the bigger picture and can take action to avoid mishaps. Communication and education are points to be developed and moved forward, not only on a local scale, but on a national one. We need to be on the same page!


Written by Teela Hughes on behalf of First Note, Luton

p.s. some views are my own! ;)


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