This
is the first time in the five year history of ABLE2UK where we have covered
the BBC Children In Need Appeal. And there's a reason for this. About
ten years ago we met a young lady in a wheelchair having a pint in our
local pub, it was two days before 'Wogans big night'. The conversation
turned to the appeal and to our horror our support of Children In Need
really pissed her off!
At first we couldn't understand why, but after an in depth conversation
we started to understand. This report you are about to read may seem a
bit harsh, especially as it's been printed around the time of the BBC
Telethon, but before we go on we must remind you that other kids benefit
from the charity. Homeless, Bullying, HIV/AIDS, Drug Abuse and Sexual
Abuse are all given priority when it comes to dishing out the millions.
However when it comes to disability..
The CIN
website starts with three facts in their disabled section. 1. 17,000 families
in the UK have at least one disabled kid. 2. Parents of disabled children
face three times the cost of those with non-disabled kids. 3. Disabled
children are three time more likely to be abused and neglected to those
who are non-disabled.
The forth fact that many disabled people are against TV Telethons wasn't
printed. Neither was the fact that security are employed outside the BBC
Centre to keep disabled protesters away. Back in the Eighties a protester
managed to gatecrash ITV Telethon live on TV and interrupt the broadcast.
Comic Relief gave these protesters a chance to air their views on their
second Telethon, this 5 minute film was only ever shown once.
Those against the disability aspect of CIN believe the show is patronizing
and the films show disabled people as helpless and relying on help from
able-bodied people. Disabled people want to live independently.
The problems which disabled people face aren't normally directed related
to their condition, but because of how they are discriminated against
in society. Which, some disabled people, believe does them no favors when
the films are shown focusing on the limitations people with disabilities
have.
Another point the protesters are trying to get across is that Pudsey bear
and his gang are doing the Establishment a big favor. Trying to show how
much they care, for one day a year. Even though the rest of the 12 months
show discrimination towards people with disabilities within society.
What disabled people really want is the opportunity to be equal, employment,
good wages and leisure facilities. Not 'Special holidays', glamorous presentations
of wheelchairs and 7 hour patronizing marathons.
The other case in favor of BBC Children In Need is that the money which goes towards kids with disabilities . Last year £48,000 was given to the John Watson Kids Club to have a playscheme for disabled & non-disabled children to mix and The Log Cabin was give £30,686 to develop a sport programme for those with special needs..
A total of £9,259,791 was given to 511 groups to work on projects for children with disabilities last year from the appeal.
So, what do you think of the above content? Have the protesters got a point? Or are they just causing trouble. E-Mail your views to us and we'll give 50p to Children In Need for each email we receive!
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