There is a group that, in addition to the economic hardships and human suffering caused by the pandemic, has had to overcome loneliness every day, but especially social invisibility. These are people with disabilities who wanted to show their discomfort over a situation that, if not remedied, could become more acute during this second wave. And it is that hospital pressure is not only primed with ICUs and operating rooms or Primary Care. Also the clinical care that these people require is being affected and, consequently, their quality of life.
This was stated yesterday by the Basque coordinator of representatives of people with disabilities (Edeka). In the course of a day (held via streaming) they also had the opportunity to present to the Minister for Equality, Justice and Social Policies, Beatriz Artolazabal, some of the lines of action to try to redirect the scenario characterized mainly by that “isolation” and “invisibility”.
The Edeka associations explained that during this social health crisis, people with disabilities “have had a decline in their quality of life” due, among other issues, to the lack of clinical care. COVID and its impacts on the health system have placed this group in an extremely delicate situation. Hence, the Basque coordinator defended an improvement in the dependency system because, they indicated, “leading an autonomous life is not a whim, it is a right.”
In this sense, they bet on promoting professional care and support models and independent living, guaranteeing accessible education at all levels, “and laying the foundations of collaborative governance” and favoring accessibility in information. An idea that was received by the counselor Artolazabal, who referred to the Independent Living Plan of the Basque Government and that “with the necessary support, it is possible to bet on an independent life in each person’s own home”.
For his part, the president of the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities (Cermi), Luis Cayo Pérez Gaddo, said that “our inclusion and our social well-being cannot depend on politicians with sensitivity. Rights have to be guaranteed.”
