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PARENTS with disabled children are being let down by an “inadequate” system, leaving the majority feeling unable to cope and suffering mental health problems.
Only four per cent of families feel they get the right support to safely care for their children.
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And more than half of parents suffer depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts because of a lack of support.
These are the shocking findings in a new survey by the Disabled Children’s Partnership, an umbrella organisation made up of 60 leading disability charities in the UK.
It reveals disabled children and their families are missing out on vital care, support and even schooling because of a lack of funding.
The survey of 3,400 parents also highlighted the devastating knock-on effect on families.
Is your family affected by the cuts to funding? Tell us your story. Email: giveitback@thesun.co.uk
More than half - 53 per cent - have been forced to give up a paid job to care for their disabled child.
And 40 per cent have split from a partner since their child’s diagnosis.
Of those, 64 per cent say the lack of support had a major impact on the breakdown of a relationship.
Every year, there is a shortfall of £434 million in social care provision for disabled families in England alone.
Today, The Sun is joining forces with the Disability Children’s Partnership to demand the Government address this.
We want Chancellor Philip Hammond to Give It Back - and we are calling on our loyal readers to help.
WHY 'GIVE IT BACK' NEEDS YOUR HELP
- The Sun launches its Give It Back campaign to demand parents of disabled kids get the money and support they’re owed
- My son can’t walk or talk and can stop breathing at any time of the day or night – please give us the support we deserve to care for him
- I pray my son will live through each night and worry what will happen to him if I die – we desperately need more funding
GIVE IT BACK
Why we demand the Government helps families with disabled kids:
Disabled children and their families are desperately struggling because of a lack of support.
We want the Government to reinstate the £434m of funding it has cut from early intervention services - such as respite care and vital equipment.
It is time for the Government to Give It Back.
The number of disabled children in the UK has risen to nearly 1 million over the past 10 years - up by a third.
But funding and support has been cut.
Families with some of the most vulnerable children in the country are struggling to cope.
That’s why we’re working with the Disabled Children’s Partnership to help them.
Together we can make a real difference and hugely improve the lives of disabled children and their families.
We want you to share your stories, email us on giveitback@the-sun.co.uk
Please sign Ollie’s letter to put pressure on the Government to act now.
Together, we can make a real difference and vastly improve life for the nearly one million disabled children in the UK.
We will be meeting parents who love their children beyond measure, but who just need a little help to give those children the best possible life.
We’ll speak to families who have battled for months, even years, to get the care and even equipment their child needs.
Parents like Vickey Kowal, who goes to bed every night fearing her lovely son, Ollie, may not be alive in the morning.
She has written an open letter to the Government, which we have printed in full here.
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WHERE TO GET HELP
Contact A Family Support And Advice, 0808 808 3555
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) - for specialist legal advice
Newlife - a charity that provides help with equipment
GOV.UK - to understand your child's entitlements
MOST READ IN NEWS
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We are asking our loyal army of readers to sign Vickey’s letter, to help put pressure on the Government to Give It Back and fund the support families with disabled children so desperately need.
It couldn’t be easier to help transform someone’s life.
COMMENT NOW
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