View report page

148
As a definition "physical handicap" appears too general a term
for it embraces conditions ranging from those of a very minor
character to widespread loss of function. It would seem preferable,
for practical purposes, to use residual ability as the parameter
for determining the amount and quality of assistance required.
But through all this there is a clamant need for the handicapped
themselves to possess a "practical philosophy" of life, amounting
almost to a faith, without which the prospect of a barren future in
an abyss of despair are all too apparent. The need for the handicapped
to have courage to face the situation squarely could not
have been more aptly put than by the London poetess Christina
Georgina Rossetti who spent the greater part of her life in attendance
on her mother. In writing "Does the road run uphill all the
way? Yes, to the very end" she showed her profound understanding
of the problems of the disabled. We can do no less than afford
them our closest support in endeavouring to fit their particular
personalities into the existing community system.
It is the aim of our community services to help all individuals
towards self-support and an independent life, such measures including
rehabilitation and training for regaining capacity for work.
Where this is found to be impractical, a solution is sought by the
department which endeavours to give the handicapped the greatest
of physical and mental freedom compatible with his/her underlying
condition. Attainment of these objects means a personal social
service to individuals or families and, ipso facto, a demand for
more social workers in the local authority services.
Effects on staff of the impending Social Services Act together with
the introduction of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act
inevitably added to the difficulties of maintaining service standards.
Fortunately, most of the facilities which the latter Act demands
are already established in this Borough and, apart from expansion,
no drastic alteration to our services is envisaged.
Despite the fact that, in some vague way, the problem of the
handicapped has always been considered substantial, it has never
been accurately assessed either locally or nationally. For too long
statistical information concerning the subject has been based on
the numbers registered with local authorities, a system which is
known to have excluded certain categories. The new Act seeks to
rectify this situation.