This evening, viewers tuning into ITV National News were left stunned by the story of Alison Rodgers, 60. Alison's son, Adam, who has a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
and
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
, has spent half of his life locked away inside mental health institutions for 'treatment'. There are currently almost 2,000 people like Adam with a learning disability, autism, or both, who are separated from their families and held in secure institutions that are unable to meet their needs. Adam, 30, is currently detained at Rampton Hospital - a high-secure unit and psychiatric hospital, which houses some of the most dangerous and disturbed criminals in the country.
Commenting on the report, Edel Harris OBE, Chief Executive of Mencap, said:
This shocking report highlights the unacceptable and tragic circumstances facing thousands of people with a learning disability who continue to be trapped inside these hospitals, which fundamentally cannot meet their needs. These are chaotic places, where people like Adam are subjected to physical restraint, held in solitary confinement and pumped full of anti-psychotic medication despite not having a diagnosed mental health problem.
It’s incredibly brave for Alison to share her story. There are currently almost 2,000 people with a learning disability and autism locked away in these hospitals, with the average length of stay over five years. Alongside families and carers, Mencap has spent more than a decade lobbying the government
The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much tax people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (NHS) should work. to finally deliver on their promise to get people out of these institutions.
Only by investing in the community
A community is the people and places in an area. support and housing needed will we finally be able to prevent people like Adam from becoming trapped in these places, with their families unable to help them. People with a learning disability have the right to a good quality of life and fair treatment just like anyone else. Adam and Alison deserve to be reunited and for this nightmare to be over."