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People with learning disabilities – COVID-19 Support and Action Group Wednesday 8th December 2021

 

Time: 12:30pm-2:30pm https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97471173675 Meeting ID: 974 7117 3675 1. 

Present Firielle Andrew Chris Olcay Simone Ray Sam Phil Sarah 2.

 Introductions Andrew welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked how they were feeling. People talked about how they’re feeling. 

 Firielle and Andrew are fine. 1 Chris – worried he might have to leave his home. Simone suggested he get legal advice to support him. She’s offered to help him find a good solicitor with the right experience and who understands people with learning disabilities. The Covid Group all support Chris and are here for him. 

Simone – feeling much better Ray – I’m going to Wakefield for Xmas. Doing some Xmas shopping. 

Olcay – Last night was my friend’ funeral on line because she’s in Jamaica. She died in hospital and I don’t know why she was in hospital, I think it’s related to Covid. Now they’re talking about the new variant spreading. I don’t know if there will be another lockdown, I am worried. I need something to cheer me up. 

 2 Firielle: one of my friends in my group, his mum died from Covid. We can do something to cheer Olcay up as she’s had a crap week. 

Simone: I’ve been to BT about my landline and am worried to do anything in case I lose my digital connection. I’ve mentioned the Equality Act to them and I’ll threaten them with action on Twitter. They’ve replied and said they’ll send an engineer down on Thursday. I’ve cc’d Ofcom too and I’ve put together a poll on Twitter asking people if they think my landline will be sorted on Thursday. I’m tired working from home. I’m pleased some of us are going out together. Interesting Twitter debate about the Downs Syndrome Bill and people are commenting on my diplomacy for once!! 

Heidi has contacted Firielle about a new advisory committee being set up for people with Downs Syndrome. 

 3 There are 3 lesbians in the Covid group...hooray!! Lesbian strength in our group  

3. Long Covid It’s been difficult to find people with learning disabilities living with Long Covid and we don’t know why. Long Covid is now legally seen as a disability. Lots of people can’t work because of it. People might be worried they might not be believed if they tell the doctor their symptoms. None of us know people with learning disabilities who have Long Covid. 

 4 We could do a YouTube video about Long Covid. This group can do it based on the Long Covid easy read leaflet. We talked about working from home and how isolating this is for many people. Simone felt that it is affecting our mental health and our communities, it’s affecting our relationships. It is very worrying. She will be holding a workshop about this in January. 

 Olcay spoke about her friend who died from Covid and said she was scared. 

 Ray also spoke about his worries about the new Omicron variant. 

 5 We finished by planning our last meeting of the year. It will be a Christmas and end of year celebration. We agreed that there will be Christmas hats, mince pies and music. We will also look back on the last year and some of the things we’ve achieved together. 

 Next meeting: Wednesday 15th December 12:30pm – 2:30pm https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97471173675 6

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