Letter To WWILD’s Supporters

WWILD would like to acknowledge and respond to the callous indifference and lack of humanity that led to the deaths of four year old Willow Dunn in Brisbane and Ann Marie Smith recently, and the two teenage boys who were recently found in squalid conditions of neglect. Unfortunately these experiences are not uncommon – they usually are not reported by mainstream news.

We need to do so much more as a society. Its a very sad reflection on a country like Australia that this continues to happen.

WE MUST DEMAND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

WE MUST INCLUDE THEM IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Quoting Michaela Banks, a parent of a child with disability who wrote an opinion piece for Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/anne-marie-smith/   

‘If you want to know why we advocate so hard to have our children included at school, in sport, at parties, in art, everywhere in the community, this is why.

Because when we are gone, when siblings move away, who will care about our children?

Their community, their neighbours, the local people at the supermarket, at the coffee shop, in their sports club, at their art class.

The people who will notice when they haven’t been in for a week.

Or a month.

The people who care, not because they are paid to care, but because they are friends, allies.’

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

Authorities, service providers, community members, family, friends and neighbours need to listen, be more responsive and provide much better support for one of our most vulnerable groups in our community. Its society’s members that disable people – we must all work together as a community to assist and work with people with disabilities be respected, be included and access opportunities to shine and be valued as human beings in our community.

Gillian O’Brien

WWILD Manager

Link to article regarding Willow Dunn

Link to article regarding 2 boys

Link to article regarding Ann Marie Smith