'I've had to furlough my care staff' - What lockdown is like for Scots living with a disability

Self-isolation has been difficult for all of us, especially for Scots living with a disability, writes Sanjeev Mann.
Self-isolating is particularly hard for those with disabilities. Stock Pic: Callum Bennetts/EEN LicenceSelf-isolating is particularly hard for those with disabilities. Stock Pic: Callum Bennetts/EEN Licence
Self-isolating is particularly hard for those with disabilities. Stock Pic: Callum Bennetts/EEN Licence

As a 23-year-old with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, my life has been completely turned on its head.

What used to be social and safe, has now become difficult and dangerous. Because of my muscle-weakening condition, I would face a very tough fight if I were to contract Covid-19.

Lockdown life in a vulnerable group

Sanjeev Mann describes how he is finding lockdown life. Picture: Contributed.Sanjeev Mann describes how he is finding lockdown life. Picture: Contributed.
Sanjeev Mann describes how he is finding lockdown life. Picture: Contributed.
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As a member of a vulnerable group, I must ‘shield’ for 12 weeks, meaning a complete lockdown where interaction should be held to an essential minimum until the end of June. I have now been at home for 47 days. It’s a strange feeling.

Not having my regular support means less social interaction and with a further 56 days to go it’s only going to get harder.

What problems have come about from the pandemic?

Top of my list is homecare. Care is an essential part of my life and without it, I wouldn’t have a life at all. Since the government guidelines were put in place, I was forced to furlough my care staff.

Because of Covid-19’s high rate of infection or R number, keeping staff on was a risk I couldn’t take, even with PPE. Luckily, I live at home, so my parents were able to easily take over. But sadly, this isn’t the case for all people with disabilities in Scotland.

Support

Those who live on their own don’t have the option. They need their care to carry on as normal because their support is essential. This requires complete PPE to be used, similar to what our nurses and doctors are seen wearing in hospital wards across Scotland. Face masks, face shields, gloves, gowns and shoe covers - the full works. This is incredibly hard for personal assistants and homecare companies to provide.

For those using assistants like myself, the Scottish Government guidelines suggest that “It’s particularly important to have considered contingency plans” including adjusting support or asking family or friends for help. But what if this isn’t possible? The guidelines say you should call your local social work department to find out more.

Government response

I believe the Scottish Government has done a great job helping those shielding from the virus. They’ve offered helplines for support and weekly free food boxes to those in need.

However, where authorities have failed people with disabilities is in their use of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) rapid response guidelines, which were issued by the British Medical Association (BMA). These recommendations suggest life-saving equipment like ventilators may be taken away from patients with a poor prognosis in order to give to healthier patients.

This hurts.

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I was deeply upset when this was made official. As someone with a disability, I feel my rights have been completely compromised in a disturbing ‘survival of the fittest’ call by our government. I have just as much to give as the next person, I deserve the chance to live.

Matt Hancock has stated many times that nobody has yet been denied a ventilator, but it’s worrying this is one of the first solutions if the NHS were to become overwhelmed.

The DMD Pathfinders, a charity which aims to improve lives of adults with disabilities, and one I am a trustee of, echoes this hurt.

The organisation’s CEO Dr John Hastie said: “ I don’t want to die. How did we get here? Why is the first message by the medical establishment to decide who lives and who dies, rather than urging the government to take much bigger steps to provide more critical care places”

If the vulnerable are shielding themselves from society and Covid-19 for 12 weeks, then you should make the effort to support them. Please help by staying at home.

Anyone looking for additional support should contact their local social work department via the website of their local council.

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