No Funny Anecdotes

I would like to be writing an amusing anecdote, a story of Dimitri's progress, of how life is good with my son and husband. But I can't, and here is the reason why.

I normally keep the small voice in the back of my head in check, this enables me to function, to do the things that need to be done, and to be the best parent I can be, rather than a distracted, frantic and depressed one. But it's gotten lose, the usually moderate voice has stood up, grabbed hold of the megaphone and is screaming "but what will happen to Dimitri when I can no longer care for him???".

Melodramtic? I don't think so, although I have the impression that my dogged behaviour in explaining to others the situation for people with disabilities in Greece is isolating us from the rest of the world more than any of my son's "odd behaviours" does.

Getting brushed off -

I'm sure things aren't that bad
Things will have improved by the time Dimitri is an adult
There are schools for those children
There are places for those people
Oh, it's terrible,but what can you do, thats the government for you

I'm not exaggerating, things are THAT bad

Things are NOT improving,

There are NOT ENOUGH schools

What do you mean by PLACES? Enlighten me, day centers? respite care? supported living?are there places for everone who needs one?

It' s your Government, you have a voice, you have a vote, use it


The reason I'm writing this... is an article which will be released in full shortly entitled “Παιδιά με αναπηρίες σε ιδρύματα στην Ελλάδα: Το φαινόμενο της παραμέλησης και κακοποίησης από το θεσμό” authors Χ. Ασημόπουλος, Μ. Μαργαριτίδου, Α. Μαυρομάτη, Μ. Παρασχάκη, Ι. Ψαρά.

That is:

"Children with Disabilities in Institutions in Greece: The Phenomena of Neglect and Abuse from Institutions"

an extract of which is published at psi-action in Greek. The story, systematic neglect and abuse, a 10year old with Downs, tied to a bed with a piece of ripped bedding, given his medication, and left chewing his his diaper. Left tied to a bed all day. There are no words that can express how I feel.