Disability Community Day of Mourning

March 1st is set aside by the disability community to remember disabled people who have died at the hands of their family or caregivers.  Like the crime itself, the day is largely unknown.  And it is uncomfortable to raise an issue as painful as this for disabled people, families and caregivers.  But it does happen, and it does happen in New Zealand.

Disabled people have been guaranteed Human Rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Human Rights Commission states about the convention: “It is aimed at protecting the dignity of persons with disabilities and ensuring their equal treatment under the law including the right to health services, education and employment.” This means disabled people have the right to live, and to live with dignity and to expect equal treatment in New Zealand.

Unfortunately when a disabled person dies by the hand of a family member or caregiver, it is often reported as a “mercy” killing. Or we often hear that the caregiver was “driven” to take this terrible action because of the behaviour or actions of that disabled person, resulting in them being a burden, difficult, or impossible to care for. Punishments are often reduced due to this ‘hardship’ experienced by the caregiver. The disabled person is often reported as if they are of less value and as having a life not worth living.

We believe the issue we need to focus on is the lack of funding and support provided to families and disabled people.  It is so difficult to get the support that is needed at times 24 hours a day. It is a challenge to have support provided in safe environments where the unique needs of an individual person are met. There are so few people who really understand and will advocate with and for disabled people to live a quality life. We believe disabled people need to be recognised as having the same rights and value as all other people.

Te hunga haua mauri mo nga tangata katoa. All people have Mauri, unique life force, and we value every person equally.

Te Rā Mau Mahara

CCS Disability Action Auckland is holding a small, online ceremony to mourn those disabled people who have died. We will also acknowledge the support provided by the vast majority of families and caregivers. Find out more in the Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/6E6fYKsPs

Click here to download the programme for Te Rā Mau Mahara (Word document).