Latest news with #disability rights
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Constituents critical of York MP's suspension
On Wednesday, York Central MP Rachael Maskell was suspended from Labour, along with three other MPs, for repeated breaches of party discipline. It came after she was a key figure in organising a rebellion against her party's welfare reform bill, which she said would introduce "Dickensian cuts belonging to a different era and a different party". Maskell defended her decision as standing up for disabled people but the prime minister argued the MPs were "elected on a Labour manifesto" and so should back the government's agenda. But what do Maskell's York constituents think? People in Acomb have spoken to the BBC about their reaction to the news. 'Absolutely disgusting' Richard Lowe, from the Huntington Road area of York, is visiting shops on Front Street with his wife. When quizzed about Maskell's suspension, he says this is a topic the couple has discussed in depth, due to their careers in healthcare. "Rachael Maskell, for me, embodies what the Labour movement should be," the former mental health nurse says. "My thoughts are that the suspension is absolutely disgusting. "As she says, she's been a Labour member for 34 years, she's stood up for disability rights, she's a disability campaigner." As an ex-nurse, Richard says he has always had a duty of care to his patients - and that Maskell has a duty of care to her constituents. "I won't be voting Labour at the next general election," he says. "If Rachael Maskell is still an independent MP, I'll vote for her but I'm not voting Labour. "I hope she's retaken into the Labour Party very shortly. I can't see it happening myself, but there you go." 'Where are the lines?' Sat on a bench alongside their dog are Angela and her mother-in-law, Carole, who both live locally. They explain they do not share the same political views as Maskell but were on the fence about Sir Keir Starmer's decision to suspend her. "It's difficult, isn't it? Everybody's entitled to their own opinion but where are the lines?" Angela asks. "I think Labour has made a lot of terrible choices in the past year or so. "They're not doing themselves any favours." However, they both thought the welfare system needed an overhaul. "If you're a disabled person, you should be entitled to a benefit if that benefit is appropriate for your disability," Angela says. "But I think possibly there's been a bit of a trend of people claiming disability benefits and I don't think there's been enough checks into the background of what's actually needed for some people." Carole believes more "double checks" should be made to see what benefit is fair for each claimant. 'Over the top' Further down the street, Carolina Ficco, 62, also stops to chat. She believes that no matter the political party, MPs should not be punished for representing their constituents. "I think it was extremely harsh and over the top that she's been suspended," Carolina says. "Everybody is entitled to an opinion and if she's representing people, why should she be dismissed for that? "That's what politicians are supposed to be about, they're a voice for us. It's bang out of order." She says Maskell's suspension is "absolutely, totally wrong". The prime minister defended his decision to suspend Maskell, along with Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff. He said: "I am determined we will change this country for the better for millions of working people – and I'm not going to be deflected from that. "Therefore, we have to deal with people who repeatedly break the whip. "Everyone was elected as a Labour MP on a Labour manifesto of change and everybody needs to deliver as a Labour government." In a statement, the York Central MP said she wanted this Labour government to be the "very best ever" and said she had "used every opportunity" to reach into government to be an advocate for disabled people. "I am, of course, sad of the decision to suspend me for simply seeking the very best for others," Maskell said. "As someone of deep conviction and faith, I bring these values with me in all I do in representing my constituents and ensuring that I advocate for them, keep them safe and ensure that their voices are taken into the very heart of politics." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. More on this story Starmer says he had to 'deal with' rebel Labour MPs Labour suspends four MPs after welfare cuts rebellion
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Constituents critical of York MP Rachel Maskell's suspension from Labour
On Wednesday, York Central MP Rachael Maskell was suspended from Labour, along with three other MPs, for repeated breaches of party came after she was a key figure in organising a rebellion against her party's welfare reform bill, which she said would introduce "Dickensian cuts belonging to a different era and a different party".Maskell defended her decision as standing up for disabled people but the prime minister argued the MPs were "elected on a Labour manifesto" and so should back the government's what do Maskell's York constituents think? People in Acomb have spoken to the BBC about their reaction to the news. 'Absolutely disgusting' Richard Lowe, from the Huntington Road area of York, is visiting shops on Front Street with his wife. When quizzed about Maskell's suspension, he says this is a topic the couple has discussed in depth, due to their careers in healthcare."Rachael Maskell, for me, embodies what the Labour movement should be," the former mental health nurse says."My thoughts are that the suspension is absolutely disgusting."As she says, she's been a Labour member for 34 years, she's stood up for disability rights, she's a disability campaigner."As an ex-nurse, Richard says he has always had a duty of care to his patients - and that Maskell has a duty of care to her constituents."I won't be voting Labour at the next general election," he says. "If Rachael Maskell is still an independent MP, I'll vote for her but I'm not voting Labour."I hope she's retaken into the Labour Party very shortly. I can't see it happening myself, but there you go." 'Where are the lines?' Sat on a bench alongside their dog are Angela and her mother-in-law, Carole, who both live locally. They explain they do not share the same political views as Maskell but were on the fence about Sir Keir Starmer's decision to suspend her. "It's difficult, isn't it? Everybody's entitled to their own opinion but where are the lines?" Angela asks."I think Labour has made a lot of terrible choices in the past year or so. "They're not doing themselves any favours."However, they both thought the welfare system needed an overhaul. "If you're a disabled person, you should be entitled to a benefit if that benefit is appropriate for your disability," Angela says."But I think possibly there's been a bit of a trend of people claiming disability benefits and I don't think there's been enough checks into the background of what's actually needed for some people."Carole believes more "double checks" should be made to see what benefit is fair for each claimant. 'Over the top' Further down the street, Carolina Ficco, 62, also stops to believes that no matter the political party, MPs should not be punished for representing their constituents. "I think it was extremely harsh and over the top that she's been suspended," Carolina says."Everybody is entitled to an opinion and if she's representing people, why should she be dismissed for that? "That's what politicians are supposed to be about, they're a voice for us. It's bang out of order."She says Maskell's suspension is "absolutely, totally wrong". The prime minister defended his decision to suspend Maskell, along with Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris said: "I am determined we will change this country for the better for millions of working people – and I'm not going to be deflected from that."Therefore, we have to deal with people who repeatedly break the whip."Everyone was elected as a Labour MP on a Labour manifesto of change and everybody needs to deliver as a Labour government."In a statement, the York Central MP said she wanted this Labour government to be the "very best ever" and said she had "used every opportunity" to reach into government to be an advocate for disabled people."I am, of course, sad of the decision to suspend me for simply seeking the very best for others," Maskell said. "As someone of deep conviction and faith, I bring these values with me in all I do in representing my constituents and ensuring that I advocate for them, keep them safe and ensure that their voices are taken into the very heart of politics." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Couple with spina bifida finds family despite adoption barriers
Kelly and Larry Peterson's love story began at a summer camp for children with spina bifida. Born on the same day, the couple discovered they had much in common beyond their shared birthday and disability. Spina bifida is a condition where the spinal column and casing around the spinal cord don't form completely, affecting motor ability and the ability to walk. Before 1960, the survival rate for babies with spina bifida was about 10%. Even as medical science improved, some still viewed the diagnosis as a death sentence. Both Kelly and Larry went on to live happy childhoods and, in high school, the pair started dating. Today, they reminisce about the days when they had to pay for phone minutes and their parents would warn them to watch their phone usage. "We always, we just kind of got along really easily," Larry Peterson said. The couple married in 2015 and, within six months, began discussing adoption. However, they quickly encountered barriers that highlighted ongoing discrimination against people with disabilities. "We actually came across an agency who flat out said, 'No, we have a list of disabilities that we don't work with potential adoptive parents, if they have X, Y, and Z conditions and spina bifida is on that list,'" Kelly Peterson said. This month marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against Americans with disabilities. The law requires businesses like restaurants, hotels and grocery stores to provide people with disabilities equal opportunities to access goods and services. But in practice, when it comes to services like adoption, equal access is not always guaranteed. The rejection was disheartening, but the Petersons understood the agencies' concerns about liability and whether adoptive families could handle the challenges ahead. Eventually, one organization agreed to help, changing everything for the family. While browsing the agency's website, Kelly spotted a little girl with spina bifida. "As I'm on the website, I see a little girl with spina bifida and I was like, 'how do we miss this?!'" the couple said in unison. That little girl was Hadley, who became the Petersons' daughter in December 2018. "It was love at first sight," Larry Peterson said. Like many children with spina bifida, Hadley also has other conditions, including autism and a speech disorder. The Petersons regularly bring Hadley to therapy and the library to help her build independence. The couple believes their shared experience with spina bifida makes them uniquely suited to care for Hadley's complex needs. "We've been through it. I mean, we've been through pretty much everything you could go through with the disability we have," Larry Peterson said. "I remember being a kid and thinking when adults would tell me, 'This is good for you,' how do you know you haven't been through it? With her, we'll be able to say we've been there," Kelly Peterson said. Jennifer Kelly, an adoption specialist who works with children with severe medical needs and helps prospective parents with disabilities adopt, matched the Peterson family. She emphasizes that adults with disabilities shouldn't be automatically discounted as adoptive parents. "Adults with disabilities, they have considered those challenges," Jennifer Kelly said. "Maybe they have a couple of weak spots, but we can put some resources in place that can help with that." The Petersons were thoughtful about their limitations, acknowledging there were some children they felt they couldn't adequately care for. Their house is already modified specifically for Hadley's needs. One of the family's biggest concerns was cost. Kelly is a teacher and Larry works at a call center, and medical bills can be expensive. Jennifer Kelly didn't just match the family with Hadley; she also helped them secure federal benefits available to families raising children with severe medical needs. Shriners Hospitals for Children have also alleviated the financial burden on the Petersons by covering the costs of Hadley's medical procedures, some of which would normally cost tens of thousands of dollars. The family now worries about how potential cuts to Medicaid will impact their ability to provide Hadley with what she needs in the future. "She is my world. I can't imagine her not being here," Larry Peterson said. "We couldn't be happier to have this opportunity," Kelly Peterson added. When asked if they might become grandparents one day, both Larry and Kelly responded in unison: "Anything is possible!" Sen. Lindsey Graham says "a turning point, regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is coming" Student's unique talent that's for the birds Candy Land, the game that still hits a sweet spot
CBS News
14-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Some disabled parents still face discrimination in adoption services, 35 years after ADA
Kelly and Larry Peterson's love story began at a summer camp for children with spina bifida. Born on the same day, the couple discovered they had much in common beyond their shared birthday and disability. Spina bifida is a condition where the spinal column and casing around the spinal cord don't form completely, affecting motor ability and the ability to walk. Before 1960, the survival rate for babies with spina bifida was about 10%. Even as medical science improved, some still viewed the diagnosis as a death sentence. Both Kelly and Larry went on to live happy childhoods and, in high school, the pair started dating. Today, they reminisce about the days when they had to pay for phone minutes and their parents would warn them to watch their phone usage. "We always, we just kind of got along really easily," Larry Peterson said. The couple married in 2015 and, within six months, began discussing adoption. However, they quickly encountered barriers that highlighted ongoing discrimination against people with disabilities. "We actually came across an agency who flat out said, 'No, we have a list of disabilities that we don't work with potential adoptive parents, if they have X, Y, and Z conditions and spina bifida is on that list,'" Kelly Peterson said. This month marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against Americans with disabilities. The law requires businesses like restaurants, hotels and grocery stores to provide people with disabilities equal opportunities to access goods and services. But in practice, when it comes to services like adoption, equal access is not always guaranteed. The rejection was disheartening, but the Petersons understood the agencies' concerns about liability and whether adoptive families could handle the challenges ahead. Eventually, one organization agreed to help, changing everything for the family. While browsing the agency's website, Kelly spotted a little girl with spina bifida. "As I'm on the website, I see a little girl with spina bifida and I was like, 'how do we miss this?!'" the couple said in unison. That little girl was Hadley, who became the Petersons' daughter in December 2018. "It was love at first sight," Larry Peterson said. Like many children with spina bifida, Hadley also has other conditions, including autism and a speech disorder. The Petersons regularly bring Hadley to therapy and the library to help her build independence. The couple believes their shared experience with spina bifida makes them uniquely suited to care for Hadley's complex needs. "We've been through it. I mean, we've been through pretty much everything you could go through with the disability we have," Larry Peterson said. "I remember being a kid and thinking when adults would tell me, 'This is good for you,' how do you know you haven't been through it? With her, we'll be able to say we've been there," Kelly Peterson said. Jennifer Kelly, an adoption specialist who works with children with severe medical needs and helps prospective parents with disabilities adopt, matched the Peterson family. She emphasizes that adults with disabilities shouldn't be automatically discounted as adoptive parents. "Adults with disabilities, they have considered those challenges," Jennifer Kelly said. "Maybe they have a couple of weak spots, but we can put some resources in place that can help with that." The Petersons were thoughtful about their limitations, acknowledging there were some children they felt they couldn't adequately care for. Their house is already modified specifically for Hadley's needs. One of the family's biggest concerns was cost. Kelly is a teacher and Larry works at a call center, and medical bills can be expensive. Jennifer Kelly didn't just match the family with Hadley; she also helped them secure federal benefits available to families raising children with severe medical needs. Shriners Hospitals for Children have also alleviated the financial burden on the Petersons by covering the costs of Hadley's medical procedures, some of which would normally cost tens of thousands of dollars. The family now worries about how potential cuts to Medicaid will impact their ability to provide Hadley with what she needs in the future. "She is my world. I can't imagine her not being here," Larry Peterson said. "We couldn't be happier to have this opportunity," Kelly Peterson added. When asked if they might become grandparents one day, both Larry and Kelly responded in unison: "Anything is possible!"
