To want to go and kick this man right up his ignorant arse

[OhDoAdmit]

I am rushing off to work so sorry if this has been done.
I am also sorry for the DM link but they are rather good and this sort of story.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2058976/Future-mayor-sparks-outrage-saying-parents-using-disabled-children-planning-permission-huge-extensions.html#addComment

This man has made one of the crassest comments I have seen. He has epitomised the current demonisation of people with disabilities and actually taken it to a whole new level.

Now I realise that this thread will bring out a whole heap of 'my neighbour's cat's uncle had a blue badge and he ran a marathon last week' type of comments. But I will ignore them - thats is what the DM comments page is for.

Just a few thoughts before I go and work with families who are clearly raking it in from haveing a child with complex needs

Having adaptations to your home is unlikely to ADD value and will put most buyers off.
Looking after a child at home will save the tax payers at least 2k per week per child
People who have severely disabled children often have to give up work to provide care - yes even when the go to school full time. How does your boss like you taking a few hours off to take your child to the dentist? Well imagine having 3 appointments in one week, a month or two in hospital per year plus being called to the school on a weekly basis because of seizures, temperatures, falls and unexplained prolonged bouts of crying... Still think you could hold down a job?

This guy is a fucking knob.

I am angry

I've got his number, too. Can I post it?

Good point, Dawn's DD2. I don't mean this to sound rude, but you're right....most of the fixtures in these extensions are going to devalue the house, as they are, as you say, at wheelchair height, or are lifting pulleys etc etc, or they just look .....well, medical/old people's home-ish.

This guy has just shot himself in the foot....which is no bad thing if it puts him in a wheelchair for a month, eh? Might give him some insight.

What a clueless knobber!

I have finally read the link, had to be in the right mood, omg
this man is a dickhead,

Dear Mr Crompton,

I was stunned to read your comments regarding adaptations made to the homes of families living with disabilities

I feel sure that your words must have been taken out of context because it is utterly inconceivable that someone in your position, indeed anyone, would make such crass and uninformed statements.

I think it is important that you are given the opportunity to explain more fully exactly what you mean.
It is difficult to know where to start but I will try and arrange my questions in a logical way in order to give you the best chance of answering them.

1. Why do you assume that building a 'large extension' is an simple process? You must be aware that the waiting time to be seen by and occupational therapist to even start the process can be up to a year. Add to this the time and expensive involved in making a planning application and most people would admit it is a stressful, expensive and time consuming process.
2. Why do refer to the adaptations as 'large extensions'? Again, someone who feels qualified to speak on this subject must be aware that the maximum Disabled Facilities Grant is £30,000. This sum must cover the administration as well as the building costs. I think most intelligent people would be aware that this sum is unlikely cover the cost of a 'large extension'. In fact many families are unable to use the grant because they are unable to raise the funds needed to cover the entire cost of the build.
3. Do you think that the 'perk' of a downstairs bathroom or bedroom makes up for the considerable additional costs of caring for a severely disabled child? I wonder if you are aware of how many families with disabled children live on or below the poverty line? How many parents are forced to give up work in order to provide 24 hour care for their children and how reluctant employers are to give considerable time off for parents to attend multiple appointments with their children? Do you know how many marriages break up under the strain of living with severe disability? As you are far better resourced that I perhaps you could take a look at the available statistics and get back to me with your findings?
4. I am wondering why you seem so sure that adaptations designed specifically for people with severe disabilities would add so much value to a property. Do you imagine that potential buyers would welcome the chance to purchase a house with a downstairs annex complete with tracking, hoists and non slip flooring? Would you consider that perhaps the idea of ripping all this stuff out might just possibly put the majority off and actually decrease the value of the house? Unless of course you are imagining that parents are installing hot tubs, marble flooring and gold plated taps with tax payer's money?

5.I wonder if you would clarify exactly what you mean by 'if anything happens to the child'? Do you mean to say 'if the child dies'? If this is the case may I just assure you that when you lose a child the value of your house is surprisingly low on your list of priorities. This may seem strange but I can confirm that it is true.

1. Following my above question - why do you assume that children with disabilities are going to die? Unfortunately this can be the case for some conditions and some children can be especially vulnerable (funnily enough that is often why the parents apply for the extension in the first place). It is not the case for the majority however and I suppose I am puzzled as to why you think it warrants a special mention.
2. Finally I would like to thank you on behalf of my family and of the parents of disabled children everywhere for you kind assertion that 'I have no objection to the disabled children' I am sure that this will come as a great relief to the many thousands of families raising their children with minimal support and a chronic lack of resources. To know that someone in your position is willing to tolerate the existence of our children is a real boon.

Yours sincerely

The man is a bell-end.

Shall we take bets on his 'apology'?

Taken out of context, apologises if people were offended, not his intention, misunderstood, greatest respect for families with children with disabilities...

I will have great respect for him if he resigns

ohdoadmit - please tell me that is what you sent. It is fantastic.

Yep just sent it. I do not have a child with severe physical needs but I do have a disabled child and a disabled husband and I work all day with children with complex needs. This man can kiss my arse.

I hope everyone doesnt mind me thanking him on their behalf for his kind and benevolent acceptance disabled children.

Have emailed both Crompton and Ed Milliband stating that as he has these views perhaps he should consider his position as representative to his constituents.

Ohdoadmit
I think I love you!
Oh, and can you hurry along some of DD1's grab rails, please!

Ooo, give me Crompton's email addy, DD2, as you can see, would love a word with him.

Email:
carl.crompton
@lancashire.gov.uk

Cockmunch that he is.

dawn waddaya reckon the installation of a couple of grab rails would add to the value of your property?

I think we should be told

That's a brilliant email - hope he replies!

tis weird as the people I know who have had extensions built, have used them for the benefit of their disabled child, not one has doen it to add value to a property. and shock horror not to add value for when they no longer need it (when their child is dead)

If only, when DD was dx with cancer, I had the presence of mind to apply for an extension!

What with her now dead and all I would have that extra bedroom.

WANKER!!!!!!!!!!!!

In our last house we lost ten grand. We'd converted the garage into a bedroom for DD1. Apparently people wanted a garage, not an extra bedroom!

As for grab rails, they'll decrease the price by approximately £3.50 each. Two in the loo, 3 loos. 2 in the shower, one on the bath. Oh, and the extra handrail on the stairs for when we carry her up, that should knock a bit off too!

What do you think a full on tracking system would do to the price of a country executive home?

I am thinking at least - 30k

I wonder how much hoists add to the value

Utter arse

Great e-mail, ohdoadmit.

Sick to the pit of my stomach, ds is 9 and severely disabled. We still carry him at home because even with the grant available we can't afford to adapt, pushed my partner and me to the point of splitting up, in fact ds and me are moving out next week - maybe Mr Crompton would like to come round and do all the lifting for me.

what a total wanker. Bet he would change his mind if he had a disabled child or family member. Its ok for MP to take the piss!