[nagdu] Blind Ex-minister & Guidedog barred from paralympic games

[David Andrews]

>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: list-bounces at cfb.ca [mailto:list-bounces at cfb.ca] On Behalf Of
>list at cfb.ca
>Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 3:28 PM
>To: list at cfb.ca
>Subject: [List] Blind Ex-minister & Guidedog barred from paralympic games
>
>I just read this on a post on my facebook page from Shawn at Blind
>Beginnings.
>
>Heere's the article, it really shows... well a lot really:
>
>
>Barred: Former Home Secretary David Blunkett was prevented from taking his
>seat at the Paralympic opening ceremony because he was with his guide dog
>Cosby
>
>It is the world's biggest showcase of equality for the disabled.
>
>But that didn't help David Blunkett when he arrived at the Paralympics
>opening ceremony with his guide dog.
>
>The former Home Secretary, who has been blind since birth, was unable to
>take his seat because he had his dog in tow.
>
>Mr Blunkett was shocked and angry after a 'stroppy and insensitive' Games
>official refused to let him sit in his allocated spot.
>
>After a frank exchange, a makeshift seat was eventually arranged for the
>Labour MP on an 'exposed, blustery gantry' for the three-and-a-half hour
>show.
>
>Mr Blunkett, 65, one of the country's most high-profile guide dog users,
>decided not to 'have a hissy fit', insisting he did not want to detract
>from the spirit of the Paralympics and its 'demonstration of equality of
>opportunity'.
>
>But he has now spoken out to ensure that others with guide dogs do not
>endure the same humiliation.
>
>He told the Daily Mail: 'This isn't just about me. This is about getting
>it right.
>
>'I want Games organisers to learn a lesson for the future so that people
>with guide dogs can be treated as equals.'
>
>Mr Blunkett said he had to 'bite his lip' after he was told that his seat
>was unsuitable for assistance dog Cosby, a black curly-coated retriever
>cross.
>
>He said that up until that point, Games officials and volunteers had
>treated him with the utmost respect - but things changed when he tried to
>take his seat.
>
>He added: 'What happened highlights how far we still have to go in
>changing attitudes towards the challenges faced by people with
>disabilities.'
>
>
>
>Retreived from:
>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2196551/Games-jobsworth-bars-ex-mini
>ster-Blunkett-Paralympic-opening-ceremony-GUIDE-DOG.html
>