Being a disabled parent
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I’m a disabled Asian woman living in London. I am the mother of four grown-up children. I’m trying to educate people on being a disabled parent, showing them that we have to talk about disability if we want things to change. This is my story.
Credit:
Sarifa Patel, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome Collection. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Being a disabled parent: “People see the disability but forget the ability.”
Photography by Benjamin Gilbert
As well as being a disabled parent in London, I also have a disabled child with a life-threatening condition. He’s spent a lot of time in hospital. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster and exhausting. Our family needed more support, but disability is a taboo in my community.
No group is ‘hard to reach’: you have to address our concerns and meet us at our level. But there’s still a way to go for support services in England to meet the cultural needs of ethnic minorities. The system really fails some of our families; it forgets our children’s human rights and what gifts our children bring into the world.
"People see the label and forget the person; they see the disability but forget the ability."
Credit:Sarifa Patel, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome Collection. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Beyond being a disabled parent: seeing the whole person
My son has made me who I am from an activist perspective, from a disabled perspective, and as somebody who wants to bring about change. He’s given me that motivation to move beyond seen as a being a disabled parent. He’s 34, but even now I will fight his corner, and other people’s corners too. I think the world is so unjust for some people, especially if you are labeled as having mental health issues. People see the label and forget the person; they see the disability but forget the ability.
Often someone will be dealing with lots of challenges, not just one thing. They might have physical and mental health issues, as well as financial difficulties. Some of their disabilities may be hidden. They might be caring for others as well as looking after themselves. There may be language barriers, and they may face racism.
I’ve learned from my own experiences, and my insight comes from the fact I’ve been there. I was always put down as a neurotic mother, the mum who wants to take over her child, but actually, it was the other way around – I wanted to empower my child. My roles with Action for Sick Children and Parents for Inclusion have enabled me to rescue a lot of other women who have been labeled in the same way. I can help because I understand what they’re going through.
"A petrol bomb was put through our window in 2004. That really upset us, but we didn’t move away."
Credit:Sarifa Patel, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome Collection. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Daring to be different
Some people don’t like that I challenge the authorities so much. In our culture, and where I’m from, India, you bend down to powerful people, you do not challenge them. But it’s something I’ve always done.
Our family has been subjected to a lot of hate crimes from within our own community. A petrol bomb was put through our window in 2004. The house was gutted, and we lost a lot of sentimental stuff. That really upset us, but we didn’t move away. I said to my family, “Out there, somebody doesn’t like us, and they’re trying to frighten us. If we play to their tune and move away, then wherever we go they’ll keep doing this because they’ve then seen that we’re weak. What we’ve got to do is face these bullies.”
I’m not the stereotypical Asian woman that people would like me to be. Being a disabled parent, they want me to be in the house and not go out to work. I should keep my energy for being disabled and for being a carer. But it’s my choice, and I need an outlet. I want to work and to provide for my family. I find it a good solution for me; it keeps me mentally alert and physically alert. I get a lot of fulfillment from helping people.
"Funding cuts make me concerned about the future of the charities I work with."
Credit:Sarifa Patel, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome Collection. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Challenging cuts, changing lives
Every day is different, and every day I can have something planned but it’ll never work to the plan because there might be something wrong with my husband, my son, or my own health. But where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Austerity is a big challenge right now. There’s been a massive reduction in the financial support I receive. Funding cuts also make me concerned about the future of the charities I work with. I’m torn about where to focus my attention, on fundraising, or my actual work.
I work from home so I can care for my husband and son when they’re not well, but I go to a lot of meetings – I’m vice-chair of the Alliance for Inclusive Education, which a Disabled people-led organization seeking to build alliances with individuals and organizations who share our vision. As vice-chair my phone is always busy; it’s like a helpline for parents who need advice. When I’m in meetings I don’t pick up, but I always call back.
Being a disabled parent, and a disabled person, I want to give, not just take. I feel I’m a good role model, showing that disabled people exist and work, and have an active life. I have an interesting life – very busy, very challenging. When you have these barriers and challenges, they help you make social solutions in a different way, not just for yourself but for other people. It’s not just bringing change for you; it brings change for a lot of people.
Sarifa Patel
Sarifa Patel is a mother, an activist, and a grassroots campaigner for disabled people’s rights. She is vice-chair of the Alliance for Inclusive Education and co-chair of the Newham Disability Rep Forum.
Caption:
"I was always put down as a neurotic mother, the mum who wants to take over her child, but actually, it was the other way around – I wanted to empower my child."
