DSA RESPONDS TO WENDOLYN MARKCROW SENTENCE

02/11/2005

Carol Boys, Chief Executive of the Down's Syndrome Association, comments on the news that Wendolyn Markcrow was today given a suspended sentence for killing her son with Down's syndrome and autism.

Contact: Marie Benton

Down’s Syndrome Association Press Office

Tel. or

Email

2 November 2005

In response to the news that Wendolyn Markcrow has received a suspended sentence, Carol Boys, Chief Executive of the Down’s Syndrome Association says: -

In our own experience of talking to families who have children with more complex needs, including a dual diagnosis of Down’s syndrome and autistic spectrum disorder, it often seems that they struggle to get appropriate or adequate support. This can leave those families feeling extremely isolated and with unacceptable levels of stress. Those families who have a child with this particular dual diagnosis often feel that they fall between services, with their particular needs not met or understood, either by services or by other families who have a child with one or other of the diagnoses.

There is currently no statutory obligation for local authorities to provide respite care for families of children with a disability, and all too often the provision available comes down to a ‘postcode lottery’. An improvement in the provision of respite care is essential if families are to get the breaks and support that they need.

 

Notes for editors

• There are 60,000 people in the UK who have Down’s syndrome.

• Of those, around 10% are thought to have a dual diagnosis of Down’s syndrome and autism.

• The DSA is the only organisation in this country focusing solely on all aspects of living successfully with Down’s syndrome.

 

We rely on the media to speak about issues relating to Down’s syndrome in a way that is both factually accurate and inoffensive to the general public, including people with Down’s syndrome and their families.

We are sure you share our concerns so please take a minute to check that your copy is in line with the following language guidelines and that you are not perpetuating any myths about the condition.

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