Today, as part of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Learning Disability England and Spanish friends held an event in Aviles, Northern Spain, celebrating #JusticeforLB and all those who have died through neglect and indifference. Stitching, artwork, music, dancing, fun and so much more.

Just brilliance…

I felt a right old pang seeing the #JusticeforLB bus/quilt in twitter pics. And reading the shock, outrage, sense and warmth expressed by local kids, self advocacy groups and others…

Valued members of society. Blimey. ‘Reach for the stars’ type aspirations that seem to firmly remain the stuff of dreams here. Despite the continued and brilliant efforts of some/many.

Still. We gotta recognise steps made and there have been some. First, the General Medical Council (GMC). Having proceeded at a snails pace (over 2.5 years so far) in the investigation of Dr M, we were told we’d hear the case examiner decision this week. Sitting at my desk earlier [grey sky, gloominess and an all to0 familiar feeling of delay dread] I steeled myself for another weekend without news.

Then an early afternoon email. Dr M is being referred to a tribunal hearing.

A few hours later, a comprehensive (and spontaneous) update from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) beautifully headed ‘Connor’.

If you’re embroiled in a serious investigation involving a preventable death [howl], your priorities may well be on the meticulous steps involved in evidence collation/examination. Keeping families informed may seem a less relevant, smaller, almost inconsequential part of the process.

It ain’t.

Keeping families informed demonstrates:

that beyond loved children/sisters/brothers/grandchildren/nephews/nieces/friends are valued.

serious consideration and scrutiny of what’s happened, allowing/enabling slightly easier rest in a harrowing (possibly lifelong) space.

a basic, deeply warming, and too often missed, humanity.

Thank you. To the GMC, HSE and ongoing Spanish based magic. For shining light and sunshine on the way forward.

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