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Messages of support |
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Messages of supportColleagues and friends have sent many messages expressing their support and congratulations on reaching our 50th issue. We thank you all for your encouragement and feature a selection of the messages in this journal.
“Congratulations DPPi journal on reaching the 50th issue. Support, services and, most importantly, a greater understanding of the issues for disabled parents has (and continues) to be influenced by the information, life experiences and resources held within every issue's pages.” Simone Baker, Vice-Chair, Disabled Parents Network, UK “SIA is delighted to recommend Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood international to parents and potential parents. We find it an invaluable resource and make frequent referrals from our Helpline which receives calls from spinal cord injured people. We congratulate DPPi on the 50th issue of its journal and send them every good wish for the future.” Mary Ann Tyrrell, Director of Services, Spinal Injuries Association, UK “The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) congratulates DPPi for the practical information and encouragement given to disabled parents via the past 50 issues of their journal. We look forward to future valuable contributions from this publication so that disabled parents world-wide can continue to gain access to the information that is so widely available to non-disabled parents.” Mary Cox, Public Information Officer, RNIB, UK “Despite considerable progress in recent years, disabled people still experience many barriers to the aspects of life that most of us take for granted. That's why I welcome the long-term efforts of Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood international, both in providing accessible information for disabled people and in highlighting their aspirations for an ordinary family life.” Anne McGuire, Minister for Disability, Department for Work and Pensions, UK “Congratulations on achieving the gold standard! DPPi and its journal have contributed greatly to the lives of parents with disabilities and their families. We all still have a lot of work ahead of us in order to achieve improved resources and better policies concerning parents with disabilities worldwide. But, it's also worth recognizing that without the leadership and contributions of DPPi, we would have a much longer and harder road to success. Again, congratulations to all!” Paul Preston PhD, Director, National Resource Center for Parents with Disabilities, Through the Looking Glass (TLG), Berkeley, California, USA “ASBAH has been involved with DPPi journal since the early days with Mukti Jain Campion. For us, the unusual then was hearing of young women with spina bifida and hydrocephalus becoming pregnant, having successful pregnancies and managing their families. Now this is almost commonplace. Preconceptual folic acid can dramatically reduce the chances of having a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect; advances in treatment of hydrocephalus mean that this condition should no longer be seen as a contraindication for pregnancy; and obstetricians and midwives are much more encouraging and positive towards disabled parents. So ASBAH is having to learn to support a whole new group of service users. DPPi is an invaluable resource for those special problems of practical everyday care that parents experience and for which ASBAH advisers (despite their expertise) may have no solutions. The journal is instructional and informative, and a great confidence booster for disabled parents. It can provide a bridge between disabled mothers and professionals. Congratulations DPPi on your half century issue!” Rosemary Batchelor, Senior Adviser – Health & Policy Issues, Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, UK “Ricability warmly congratulates DPPi on the 50th issue of its excellent journal. We are particularly grateful for the support of DPPi in the production the Ricability childcare products series of publications, and their positive review by disabled parents in recent issues of your journal. Very best wishes for your next 50 issues – and beyond.” Lindsey Etchell, Principal Researcher, Ricability (Research Institute for Consumer Affairs), UK “Deaf Parenting UK (previously Deaf Parenting Project) has been working closely with DPPi since the start of the Deaf Parenting Project. We are grateful for their tremendous support. Because of that, the Deaf Parenting Project grew stronger and became an independent organisation in its own right, but still works closely with DPPi on information services to Deaf parents. From everyone at Deaf Parenting UK, we congratulate DPPi for its hard work and striving for Deaf and Disabled parents' equality as parents through their journals, and wish them all the best on reaching this milestone.” Sabina Iqbal, Chair and Founder of Deaf Parenting UK “The Maternity Alliance congratulates DPPi on the 50th issue of its journal. This unique publication has been an invaluable source of ideas, advice and inspiration for disabled parents, and the voluntary sector, over a decade. We look forward to the next 50 issues, and to continuing to support the work of DPPi over the years to come.” Jenny North, Policy Officer, Maternity Alliance, UK “BIME is a design and development organisation and we have found DPPi to be a key resource in linking us with disabled parents who have helped us to develop our wheelchair baby carrier. The practical difficulties of carrying a baby and using a wheelchair were long ago highlighted by the DPPi journal and their encouragement and support to our design project has been invaluable. Congratulations on the publication of your 50th journal.” Nina Evans, Research Occupational Therapist, Bath Institute of Medical Engineering, UK “At Parentline Plus we hear from thousands of parents and carers who are desperate for support and quality information. Over half of all the parents we speak to say how lonely and isolated they feel, so to hear about other people's experiences and know you are not alone can make all the difference. We feel it is vital to have publications like the DPPi journal to make that difference”. Dorit Braun OBE, Chief Executive, Parentline Plus, UK “Congratulations to DPPi on its 50th issue. New Zealand has yet to get a group such as DPPi established so it is great to read of initiatives elsewhere. Well done on consistently publishing an interesting and informative journal.” Denise Ganley, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Auckland, New Zealand “The Disability Rights Commission is committed to ensuring that all disabled people fully participate in their communities as equal and valued citizens. It also endorses the right to a family life as set out in the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act. Sadly, many disabled people have experienced negative attitudes and lack of practical support in carrying out their parenting role. But expectations are rising and DPPi's journal has played an important role in both identifying the challenges and celebrating the successes of disabled parents. There is still much work to be done but the changes and developments of the last decade demonstrate DPPi's on-going role in promoting the rights (and capacity) of disabled parents. Essentially, it gives them a voice in the `big debate' on changing children's and family services which we are seeing at the present time. Very importantly, the DPPi journal not only raises awareness of the concerns of disabled parents but it also helps build bridges between them and professional services. I have particularly valued the journal over the years because it draws on unique personal experiences and shares the positive policy and practice which services need in order to provide high quality and appropriate services.” Dr Philippa Russell CBE, Disability Rights Commissioner, National Children's Bureau, UK “Congratulations to those at DPPi for achieving such an important milestone. Your services and support are an inspiration not only to those living with disabilities but to professionals and family members as well. Much continued success.” The Hadley School for the Blind, Winnetka, Illinois, USA “Deciding whether to have a baby raises big questions for people affected by multiple sclerosis. Will the condition affect my pregnancy? Will I be able to cope with raising a child? DPPi plays an important role in supporting and informing people with disabilities through parenthood. The MS Society sends its warmest regards to the journal on its 50th issue.” Sharon Haffenden, Director of Research and Services, MS Society, UK “Remap extends its heartiest congratulations to Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood international on this milestone edition of the DPPi journal. DPPi offers practical advice and support on an individual basis while providing access to a wide range of interrelated organisations concerned with disabilities. Remap is proud to be working alongside DPPi to help disabled parents in the UK.” Mary-Ann Mitchell, National Organiser, Remap, UK |
Simone Baker, Vice-Chair, Disabled Parents Network, UK