Abusers, Predators, or Exploiters?

Pic courtesy Med CPD

I am not sure, gentle reader, of the best title for this post.

Read it, and take your pick.

Many years ago, I was the principal of a small special school in the Northern suburbs of Brisbane.  Just up the road from the school was a corner store, which amongst other things, sold sweets.

Occasionally, parents would give their children pocket money, and because it was safe traffic wise, we'd let the physically able kids go to the shop to buy sweets at lunch time.

I began to get visits and phone calls from parents who were complaining because they'd give their child a small note - five or ten dollars to spend, and at the end of the day when they arrived home, there was no change. 

The majority of those children involved had Down Syndrome, and it was obvious that they had an intellectual impairment.

It didn't take too long to work out what the shopkeeper was doing. Because the children never questioned him, he would take their money and offer no change. 

I challenged him, and he became abusive and told me to mind my own business. The shop was declared "out of bounds" and what had been a useful chance for the children to practice living skills evaporated.

Today I read about NDIS providers defrauding clients. While the majority of providers operate honestly, the scheme has been exploited by predatory operators and organized crime syndicates. Instances of fraud cost taxpayers and vulnerable participants millions of dollars annually through false claims and overcharging.

On social media I see the word "retard" used as a form of insult.

These two examples reflect the attitude of a few people in the community who are users and abusers. 

They reflect it both in their language and behaviour. It's pretty sad, as it provides a barrier to best quality of life for people with disabilities, and defrauds both this cohort of our community and the Australian taxpayer.