“Nora weighs 35 kilos and is 21 years old. Until last year, we had to move her with a manual chair, which caused serious health problems for her father, who, although only 50 years old, had to work hard. For all these reasons, we joined the campaign “flat ramp “, to be able to help others and have easier access to electric chairs. If the thing we ask for is not a pleasure, it is a need.”
So Lorena Freire, Nora’s mother, explains the importance of access to electric chairs with a large clientele. The request to coincide with the requirements of the National Health System, which requires autonomous management of the chair, which is not possible in the majority of people with cerebral palsy, who in 80% of cases have great support needs and require 24-hour assistance. on that day
For all these reasons, Aspace Zaragoza resonates in Aragon by leading a protest campaign by the Aspace Confederation to demand a regulatory change that allows the National Health System to stop denying access to an electric wheelchair to support people with cerebral palsy and high needs. as people with multiple disabilities due to their status.
Many families from Aspace Zaragoza testify to this situation and several have made efforts to invest in this support, although they were not financed, they claim that “in all cases it is financed”.
“These chairs are essential because they provide a ventilator for the caregiver and an improvement in the quality of life for everyone.”
“The norm is discriminatory, since it prevents the support of the basic product for the souls of these people and their participation in equal social conditions”, explained by Aspace Zaragoza, reminding the families that cannot access the service and pay. for relief they must invest money, which is reported up to 6,000, just in case. The amount to be added is the future repairs of the chairs, which are reported to be between 1,000 and 2,000 euros.
fundamental right
“In our case, Nora has no autonomy. She needs help for everything. When she was small, we did not think of carrying her in a backpack, attached to the back of my husband Ignacio. She was young and I could handle everything, but now the problems have arrived”, Lorena explains, who teaches that these chairs are essential because they “breathe for the caregiver and provide an improvement in the quality of life of each person. We could often go out on the street without electric chairs.” affect this day and the inclusion of our children in society.
The Aspace Confederation launched this campaign because it is still the norm to deny the electric chair to those who cannot handle it. In fact, they argue that the denial of electric wheelchairs violates the right to personal mobility of those who have significant assistance needs. “Giving these chairs to people with cerebral palsy and high support needs will allow them to overcome mobility obstacles, restore their autonomy and alleviate the health and economic impact of the family,” say Aspace Zaragoza.
In this sense, the entity affirms that “personal mobility is a key right of any person, because it allows access to the rest of the rights recognized in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to an independent life”.
Support the campaign and the status is visible
According to a study prepared by the Aspace Confederation, ‘The perception of social discrimination in people with cerebral palsy’, 39.4% of men with cerebral palsy were unable to exercise their right to personal mobility, up to 60.6% in women. .
Therefore, they are asking to change the general catalog of orthotic prostheses prescribed by the National Health System, to modify the requirements for access to an electric wheelchair.
n The campaign launched by the Aspace Movement has the opinion “the flattest ramp in the world”, and makes this situation visible, encouraging society to confirm this position with its signature at www.aspace.org/larampamasllana.
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