to think Scott Morrison didn’t say anything wrong?

[Organictangerine]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-61171449.amp

I heard this being discussed on Shelagh Fogarty this afternoon. I don’t think he’s said anything wrong. What do you think?

But he did not say “I’m blessed to not have children with disabilities” you are misquoting him. The transcript reads
”Catherine - asked about funding for a disability support scheme.
"I've been told, to give my son the best future, I need to vote Labor. Can you please tell me what the future of the [National Disability Insurance Scheme] looks like under your government?"
The prime minister began by asking Catherine for her son's name. After she replied it was Ethan, Mr Morrison said: "Jenny and I have been blessed, we've got two children that don't - that haven't had to go through that."
"And so, for parents with children who are disabled, I can only try and understand your aspirations for those children."

He stated that they are “blessed because they have got two children that don’t, haven’t had to go through that”. THAT is referring back to the pain in navigating the national disability insurance scheme. I can see in the U.K. THAT referring back to say our DLA or PIP (16+) process to get disability benefits which everyone knows is a shitshow designed to deny the help that these parents are entitled to receive. Or perhaps even the process of fighting with school SENCOs for accommodation? Or any number of government run disability “help”.

when met with the outrage, he said he was only acknowledging his privilege and I believe him:

“i was just simply trying to say... I haven't walked in your shoes, Catherine. I'm not going to pretend to say that I understand it as well as you do."

@Discovereads

I agree. That's exactly how I understood what he meant. He wasn't insulting anyone with children with disabilities. Intent is different ftom inference. But these days people look for offence anywhere and I guess the opposition are going to seize on anything.

@Innocenta

with respect, I’d rather not engage with you on this matter. I am not here to justify my own personal hurt to anyone.

@Unblessed We certainly don't have to discuss it, but please bear in mind that you are not the only one hurt by ableism, and while obviously you are 100% entitled to your own view, seeking to police others' responses is sadly only likely to cause more hurt.

However, I'm happy to leave it at that.

I can see why people have reacted the way they have. People often say they're lucky/grateful that DC are healthy, but blessed implies something else.

The phrasing was poor, the context important - he was counting his blessings that he has not had to go through the hoops in sorting funding for his own kids/having the same worries about their future that this parent has and will continue to jump through.

As to the blessing/disablist debate itself...it is also important to note there are many parents out there who hate the Welcome to Holland mantra. Certainly, when I was being headbutted and bitten on a daily basis, I felt more cursed than blessed. Again, anyone who has not been in my shoes cannot judge. They were dark days.

He's a twonk. The woman wanted to know what legislation his party would make to support disabled people. He should have stuck to the brief.

It was a doddle to answer without over-sharing and using a word which suggests he feels favoured by God.

I bet his press people don't favour him quite so highly now...