The Disability Society would like to thank Anne Balestrino for representing the Society and it’s members at the Dr Giraldi Hearings. She did so in a caring, understanding and professional manner.
Below is a excerpt from the final submission by Anne at the close of the hearings.
Anne Balestrino, the lawyer representing the Disability Society, told the Inquiry that the issues at stake went further than whether the service provided to residents of the Dr Giraldi Home was appropriate or not.
“What the Society is saying is that it goes beyond the fact that there was lack of training or lack of staff numbers, unsuitable bathrooms, it goes beyond that, in the sense that the institutionalised model of the Home was inappropriate,” she said.
Mrs Balestrino said that while some family members of residents were happy with the service, others were not.
What was needed was an individualised approach to the provision of care, one that met the specific, evolving needs of each resident.
“So in effect you are saying that there is evidence of a lack of flexibility, are you?” Sir Jonathan asked.
“Yes, sir, and in fact it shows that there is lack of individualism, that it’s more of a one package fits all, so to speak, rather than catering for the resident as an individual, and also meeting his needs as an individual, rather than under the same umbrella for everyone.”
Mrs Balestrino said the fact that the Dr Giraldi Home had changed from three to five flats showed that the facility was in need of constant change depending on demand, not least because many disabled people lived with families who may be unable to care for them in the future.
“As family members they want to ensure that their children are well looked after,” Mrs Balestrino said.
“This is not the emotive parents wanting unrealistic expectations. These are obviously people who have experience with dealing with disabled persons, they have been dealing with it all their lives.”
They are “…people who are well versed in the research, in the developments, they have undertaken training themselves.”
“So they are very much hoping to work in partnership with the Government in securing, should I say, their Santa’s letter, their wishes.”
“Hopefully this would be something that at least in the report would come through.”
Today, 3rd December, is International Day of People with Disabilities. This is a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disabilities and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being. There have been many improvements over the years within Gibraltar for those with disabilities, many of which have been fought hard for, but there is still long way to go. The Gibraltar Disability Society has always placed anti-discriminatory legislation at the top of its agenda, therefore we would like use this day to call for Government to urgently honour their manifesto commitment “to legislate to further protect disabled people within their first year in Government using the terms of the UN Convention as a model”.