Category Archives: Scotland

Paisley MSP urges politicians to work together for M.E.

April 14, 2012   Carers, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Scotland

It is estimated that more than 250,000 people in the UK suffer from ME

Apr 12 2012 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

A CAMPAIGNING politician is urging fellow MSPs to back her efforts to raise awareness of a devastating illness.

West of Scotland MSP Mary Fee wants to turn the spotlight on Myalgic Encephalopathy, also known as ME, which is often misunderstood by members of the public who have had no experience of the condition.

ME is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a neurological condition and can result in muscle pain, with intense physical or mental exhaustion, relapses and specific cognitive disabilities.

The condition can affect people of any age, although it’s more common among those aged between 25 and 45 and is more prevalent in women than men.

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UK is breaching human rights of disabled, UN told

April 2, 2012   Carers, disability, Scotland

A SCOTTISH campaigner will this morning tell the Human Rights Council of the UN that the UK Government is in breach of its human rights obligations to disabled people.

Stephen Naysmith
Social affairs correspondent

In Geneva today, Dr Pauline Nolan, Policy Officer for Inclusion Scotland, will submit evidence to a preliminary hearing ahead of a planned review of the human rights record of 14 states, including the UK.

On behalf of the Campaign for A Fair Society – a coalition of more than 70 Scottish charities – Dr Nolan will warn the cumulative impact of welfare reform and cuts to benefits affecting disabled people will mean their ability to live a full life is impaired. In particular, she will argue that welfare changes undermine their right to be included in the community.

The campaign also claims disabled people are being denied access to justice when they try to appeal against these cuts to their benefits.

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Living life with Scotland’s carers

March 26, 2012   Carers, cerebral palsy, Scotland

Living life with Scotland’s carers

By Fiona Walker BBC Scotland social affairs reporter

Looking after someone’s every need, virtually unpaid, sometimes on duty 24/7, surely only saints need apply. Yet it s thought that three in five of us will be a carer at some point in our lives. They can’t all be expected to be saintly. I went to see how they do it.

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