Health outcomes for people with intellectual disability remain ‘comparable to third world countries’ – ABC News
By national disability affairs reporter Nas Campanella and the Specialist Reporting Team’s Evan Young
Australians with intellectual disability continue to experience unconscious bias in the medical system and much poorer health outcomes than people without disability.
On average, they die 27 years earlier than the rest of the population and have double the preventable death rate.
Advocates are calling on whoever wins the federal election to mandate disability training in medical degrees and give doctors incentives to hold longer consultations.
Thirteen-year-old Ryan Kelly was born with Down syndrome, as well as profound hearing and vision loss.
Years ago, when his mum Rebecca began looking into whether he could get a cochlear implant to help him hear, a doctor questioned why she should bother.
“He said, ‘What does it matter — can he even talk?’,”
Ms Kelly said. “It made me feel like he was seen as less than human. To hear it from someone who should know better … it was shocking.”
Ms Kelly said medical staff have repeatedly dismissed and devalued Ryan, who mostly communicates through body language.
She said one paediatrician was surprised she didn’t terminate her pregnancy.
“She looked at him, and she looked at me, and she said, ‘Oh, didn’t you have the [Down syndrome] test?’,” Ms Kelly said.
“It felt like a real kick in the face … the presumption was that I’d made a mistake and that if I’d known he wouldn’t be there.
“He wasn’t a mistake. He’s a delightful child whose life has value.”
Ms Kelly said getting Ryan proper care has been a constant battle, often requiring hours writing letters or on the phone.
She also supports other families who have children with Down syndrome, who have similar experiences.
“This year, one parent told me that their child stopped walking, and they took them to the doctor thinking they’ve injured their legs … and the doctor said, ‘Oh, it’s normal for Down syndrome — they’re a bit lazy’.”
“Some medical professionals see the lives of people with intellectual disability as less-than. When you don’t think someone has value … then you don’t treat them the same way as you do your other patients.”….
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