Additional Needs

Easing of Restrictions

Posted by Carolyn Voisey on 10th September 2021 Additional Needs, Advice & Support, Disabilities

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It has been over a year of mask wearing, social distancing and proper hand-washing for the masses; unless our Government performs another of its infamous U-turns (by the time this is published we shall know the answer to that one), restrictions won’t be a legal requirement anymore… and a lot of folk seem to be very, VERY worried about this.

Are things really going to change that much?

Honestly, I’m not sure they are… certainly not for me and mine at least. Remember how the SN community chuckled when the Prime Minister told us all how to wash our hands ‘correctly’ by singing happy birthday, and we all rolled our eyes as we’ve been washing our hands to a level surgeons would be proud of for as long as we can remember? Because when you have a child or any loved one who is medically fragile/has a stoma/medical device/requires any invasive procedures you get used to a different kind of existence where hand hygiene is concerned. Likewise, we won’t be changing our behaviour where the wearing of masks is concerned – they may not necessarily provide protection against catching the virus, but they do stop the spread of it; and there is no way of knowing if you are an asymptomatic carrier. So, because it isn’t just about us as individuals but about us as a community me and mine will continue to wear masks when in shops etc.

Sam’s wheelchair tends to ensure that we socially distance when out and about, its size alone ensures that people can’t get too close! We have always been aware of other people and the space we take up when we go places, it is no fun having your shins bumped by a wheelchair; most people are sensible enough to know this and so give us the room we need to easily manoeuvre. The new school term is rapidly approaching and for Sams school at least the easing of a few restrictions will be very welcome. Maintaining others however definitely gives peace of mind.