Anthony
has the label of Autism, he does not use the spoken word but he is able
to communicate very effectively through typing on his light writer.
Anthony’s struggle for independent living highlights important issues
for all disabled people, living in Ireland and Europe who have a human
right to independent living as per article 19 of the UN Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The
catalogue of mismanagement and abuse outlined below demands a full and
independent enquiry into the unacceptable experiences of Anthony.
For
almost three years Anthony (now 26) had his own apartment in Dublin, he
had 24hr personal assistance, and he was attending university classes.
His support was managed by Cheshire Ireland, who fully accepted and
welcomed Anthony’s communication and his voice. Cheshire Ireland managed
the funding for support for over two years, which was provided by
Health Service Executive of Ireland (HSE).
However,
without consultation with Anthony or his Family a new organization took
over Anthony’s support arrangements Áiseanna Tacaíochta Network (ATN)
This organization was imposed upon Anthony and his family by HSE.
ATN
did not accept Anthony’s communication, which caused a breakdown of
Anthony’s support arrangements, including the Director informing
Anthony’s parents that he had completed the necessary forms to have
Anthony’s personal disability benefits paid into ATN accounts; this was
without consent or consultation with Anthony or his family. As a result
Anthony’s personal disability allowance was suspended. (Leaving Anthony
without his own money for 10 months). After six months of ATN management
the director had a private meeting with HSE to recommend Anthony goes
into residential institution for further assessments.
Anthony
and his family opposed such a retrograde step. At the same time ATN
took the bizarre step of refusing to renew the rental agreement on
Anthony’s accommodation, which resulted in Anthony being made homeless.
He therefore had no meaningful choice but to accept the residential
assessment at Redwood Centre, Stamullen in Ireland.
Within
days at Redwood Anthony was put on antipsychotic medication and taken
off his important gluten and diary free diet, against the strong protest
of himself and his family, and against medical advice of Anthony’s own
doctor (GP). Redwood ignored these representations. A few days later
Anthony was admitted as an emergency patient from Redwood to a general
hospital having had a series of nine seizures. Anthony had never
experienced seizures prior to being admitted to Redwood.
Redwood
also refused to accept Anthony’s communication needs and after several
months, still on the same medication Anthony was refused the right to
attend his own case conference at Redwood by Redwood senior staff and by
HSE.
Anthony
was removed from Redwood in December 2013, but is now at another
institution, as the option of moving back into his old accommodation is
no longer available to him due to the actions of ATN.
Redwood has refused to comment on Anthony experience whilst at Redwood.
HSE has refused to comment upon Anthony’s experience at Redwood.
ATN has refused to comment on Anthony’s experience at Redwood or their actions.
All
involved appear to deny responsibility for any of the severe impacts on
Anthony’s life or the removal of his right to live independently
through their actions.
Anthony
and his family want a full and independent enquiry into the unnecessary
and unacceptable actions leading to this total abuse of Anthony’s human
rights.
Important Questions for the Health Service Executive:
1.
Why did the HSE change Anthony’s support arrangements to ATN without
consultation with Anthony or his family, prior to those arrangements
being completed?
2.
Why did the HSE allow ATN to take over the management of Anthony’s
support arrangement when ATN had not consulted with Anthony of his
family?
3.
Why did the HSE allow ATN to stop Anthony’s personal disability
allowance without any consultation with Anthony of his parents?
4. Why did the HSE allow ATN to end the rental contract of Anthony’s accommodation without Anthony’s or his family’s permission?
5.
Why did the HSE accept the recommendations of ATN, for Anthony for
residential assessment when ATN failed to discuss such a recommendations
with Anthony or his family?
6.
Why did the HSE allow Redwood to administer Antipsychotic medication
and remove his gluten and dairy free diet to Anthony without his
permission and against the advice of Anthony’s own family doctor and
parents?
7. Why did the HSE not explain to Anthony or his family why he was admitted as an emergency patient to the general hospital?
8. Why did the HSE refuse to allow Anthony to attend his own Case Conference at Redwood?
Joe Whittaker
Whittakerjoe5@gmail.com
Friend of Anthony
Please email Joe with messages of support to pass on to Anthony, or if you can help in any way please contact Joe.
Reposted from European Network for Independent Living (ENIL) website with thanks http://www.enil.eu/news/anthony-kletzander-abuse-of-human-rights-dublin-ireland/
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