Disability and the Minimum Wage

A bit like trying to have a sensible discussion about drugs or rape, to name but two, is the problem of daring to suggest, in this day and age, that different people might be treated differently.

I have only heard the rubbish audio version of the, presumably illegally-obtained, comments by Lord Freud. And, as ever, various easily-smelling-a-bandwagon-to-jump-on people are condemning him. Hold those stones while I tell you a story.

Paul used to help out at my last church. He spent his days at a Day Centre for adults with learning difficulties. They tried hard to find work for people such as Paul. We had him in once a week to hoover the church carpet, deliberately asking our cleaners not to do this and to leave it to Paul.

Paul couldn't easily communicate. He knew my name and would say Steve when he saw me, then 'work' and occasionally mention the names of others he knew. I liked the way he called me my name. Yeve. Yeve.

We paid him £3. The Centre implored us not to pay him any more, for large amounts of money worried him. But he could learn to budget his £3. He was lovely and, I believe, often used his money to buy flowers for a grave of a family member.

Hoovering two carpets was a half hour job. Maybe ten years ago £3 was a fair wage for that. But it took Paul all morning. Maybe he wasn't paid per hour, but to do a job.

I wrote about him once in an old post on this blog.

Now could it possibly be people such as Paul to whom Lord Freud's questioners were referring? And if so, let's have a grown up discussion about that.

I understand where he is coming from, if that is what he was talking about.

Learning Difficulties and the Minimum Wage

I have written here about Paul. My experience of working with Paul informs my understanding of the current debate about whether reducing the minimum wage would make it easier for people with difficulties to get on the bottom rung of the earnings' ladder.

It is a fascinating discussion. On the one hand the current legislation defines our desire as a society not to take advantage of people and to make sure that all employees are treated with dignity. On the other, the gap between the minimum wage and benefits for, especially, single people, does seem to reduce the number of low paid jobs available.

Paul was a guy who had severe difficulties and could only handle thinking about very low sums of money. The pocket money we gave him to hoover the church provided him with a small amount to handle and budget each week. All his other needs were looked after.

I think it is this last sentence that is important. If an employer is willing to take the risk, and invest the time, in a person of limited ability, where all that person's other reasonable needs are taken care of, why not allow an exception?

Because it would be exploited? Maybe. Does that make it wrong?

This issue is not as black and white as some are making it sound.

Crumbs of Comfort

I didn't hit him, apart from in my imagination, but I found myself getting very irritated by a guy who parked in the disabled space at the local shop this lunchtime. Until this thought occurred to me, that is.

If someone is so lazy that they park in a disabled space rather than enduring the 30 metre walk from the other side of the car park, then it is almost inevitable that this will render them more likely to be disabled in later years due to an over-sedentary lifestyle. At that point they will probably become quite irritated themselves at the selfish behaviour of the generation they bred. Tough titty. May their hips ache unto death.

I resolve that this will be the year I make a set of sticky labels to keep in my wallet saying 'I am a selfish git and park in disabled spaces when I am in a hurry.' I will attach these to offending vehicles.

Thank you. I feel better now.

RIP Luca

Only St Paul's, Leamington people, of my readers, will know Luca. Luca died at the weekend. He was born with severe life-limitations and was wonderfully cared for by Mary who has spent most of her days caring for and fostering children with difficulties.

No idea what, if anything, Luca was taking in about the world. He came to church, had a breathing tube, sat in a special chair and rarely registered stuff. He was but a few years old. More like months than years.

He was great.

If you ever encounter such children always speak to them, however they respond. I only ever said 'Hi Luca' and he never replied. But you must acknowledge their existence, to them and to their carers.

His little life was as fulfilled as it could be, and he was as loved as he could possibly be.

I have Luca's picture on my wall. Gonna leave it there.