Advocates say Prime Minister Scott Morrison's comment that he was 'blessed' not to have children with disability represents an outdated and harmful way of thinking about disability.
"To focus on one word is missing the point … Anyone who has children with a disability or without a disability will say there are days that are challenging.""If you want to talk about the word blessed as the biggest problem we've got facing us as parents and carers of those with a disability, this is why the disability community struggles to make constructive gains, because ...
As a Christian, Ms Helens is well aware the word "blessed" is loaded with meaning. While each religion or denomination may have their own specific definition, it's also a term used often by religious and non-religious folk alike when they mean privileged, lucky or grateful. "It does not match the experiences of people that I know in the disabled community. And if my mum were here right now, I know that she'd say that she is blessed to have me, as I am blessed to have her."Nicole Rogerson says she feels blessed to have both of her children in her life. Her youngest, Tom, 21, is studying film at university, while her eldest Jack, 26, studied as an apprentice chef. Jack also has autism.
"I think he misspoke … but it is really hurtful. It's hurtful for parents of children with a disability and people with a disability themselves to hear that. All children are blessings."
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