How can they deny Re:d need?

I can not believe that this man has actually visited the Re:d Centre, met the families and young people, and read all the statistics regarding service users. These figures do not lie - no matter what he says and how many times he says it! When he met with families, he obviously did so with a cold and closed heart.

I am constantly reading and hearing remarks about the "low levels" of disability of those who use the Re:d Centre.

Many of these young people are diagnosed with autism and bring with them the complexities of this disability. They can self-harm, have no sense of danger or of anything that is going on around them, and use destructive behaviour - sometimes to the point of totally destroying the rooms they inhabit. Many do not sleep well, keeping their parents, brothers and sisters awake.

Many other service users at the centre are physically disabled and demands on their families are tremendous. Incontinence and epilepsy are often present in disabled young people.

Families are under extreme stress and can become clinically depressed trying to cope - often alone - with their demanding, but much-loved child. This can lead to marital break-up and often the siblings suffer in the long term.

Many of these issues are seen at the Re:d Centre on a daily basis and this wonderful building, and all the staff employed here are dedicated to trying to alleviate many of the problems and committed to helping parents and families cope. Hurdles Charity plays a strong and vital role in this, for free, and is being victimised for doing so.

How can any of the councillors profess to have visited the centre, met with families and the young disabled people, and still talk about "low level need"? The Scrutiny Panel saw all this yet their view was ignored!

Maybe they should walk in this family's shoes for a few days and then come back and talk about "low level need". But this won't happen because they are too cosy in their Ivory Towers.

STILL ANGRY AND

DISILLUSIONED