Chapter two History of learning disability

Before the 1980s, most people with learning disabilities with all levels lived in long stay hospitals or institutions, now many of them are closed down. We had very little or no choice and control at all.We were either stuck in where they were or
they were lucky if a member of staff took us. We couldn't go out alone or together without staff. We didn't learn anything because of us been slow learners, no one gave us any confidence to do anyhting. We were treated unequal to other people. The staff didn't have the time of day we us. We were seen as a danger to society.

Today in everything, things are better than they were but we still have a long way to go.

For example; most people with mild disabilities like myself get by living alone with a little family support, even that wasn't allowed at one time. It's getting the balance between independence and support.Let us do the things we can do but support us with the things we can't. Today society tries to support people who need different levels of support. Times are pretty at the moment with the credit crunch so a lot services have cutback but people are more educated to what they were but they still have a lot to learn.

We have seen the difference today compared to in the past. We were labelled and treat different to other people when we are human beings just like they are.

We had poor, treated, we were neglected and abused. We were seen as mentally handicapped, sub normal, mentally backward enteral, a menace and burden to society. Society tends to called people without disabilities normal, no one is normal some people are slower than others. Everyone is a human being. These bad things affected people with disabilities lives very badly that they suffered Stress, Anxiety and depression. Many had health problems any for example Epilepsy. We were misunderstood because we were seen as different, strange or and even mad.

I am not saying all people with disabilities faced these things but they were common to happen.
Over the centuries attitudes have been bad but they have now got better.