A dispute between a Belfast family and their daughter's care provider has brought attention to the challenges faced by disabled individuals and their families. Laura Sharp, a 39-year-old woman with a disability, has resided at The Mews in west Belfast for seven years. Recently, her parents, Mark and Marjorie Sharp, have raised concerns about the quality of her care, leading to a contentious relationship with the care provider, Cedar. Cedar has issued an eight-week notice to end Laura's care, stating it is unable to meet her needs.
The Sharps argue that their daughter is being "punished" and believe Cedar's decision is motivated by a desire to remove them from the situation. They have accused Cedar staff of verbal aggression and intimidation, while Cedar alleges the Sharps have been "abusive" to its staff. The situation has caused significant stress for Laura, whose mental health has deteriorated over the past year.
Mark and Marjorie Sharp have persistently raised concerns over Laura's medication, wellbeing, and the cleanliness of her apartment. They believe they are simply fulfilling their parental duty by advocating for their daughter. As Mr. Sharp stated, "When you raise concerns, they call that abuse. It's not abuse. We've never been abusive, just questioning them." Mrs. Sharp added, "It's us they really want rid of. And for them to put her out of there, because of concerns we've raised, it's just baffling."
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, which commissioned Cedar to provide Laura's care, expressed regret over the situation. A spokesperson said they are "very sorry" for the stress and anxiety it has caused Laura and her family.
Disability Action, a charity that supports families in similar situations, has highlighted the importance of advocacy in these disputes. Nuala Toman, head of disability and innovation at Disability Action, emphasized the necessity of having an advocate when communicating with care providers. She remarked, "Across the board, what we see is when a disabled person and a family raise a challenge then the system challenges back." Toman further asserted that "disabled people and families deserve better."
The Sharps are particularly concerned about the impact this move could have on Laura's wellbeing. Given her past experience as a patient of Muckamore Abbey Hospital, now subject to a public inquiry, they fear that relocating her could be detrimental. Mrs. Sharp expressed her worries about Laura's health if she were forced to leave The Mews, saying that removing Laura "would wreck her" and cause her health to decline rapidly.
The Cedar Foundation, which manages The Mews, declined to comment on individual cases. However, they maintain that their decision was based on an inability to meet Laura's specific care needs.
As tensions continue to mount, Disability Action's Nuala Toman reiterated the broader implications of such disputes: "We see the detrimental impact that this hostile reaction can have on disabled people and their families." She urged for better treatment for disabled individuals and their families who are merely seeking adequate care and support.
Laura's parents remain resolute in their stance. Mrs. Sharp stated, "That's just being a parent, looking out for your child," underscoring their commitment to ensuring Laura receives the care she needs.
