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– School supply deteriorated, relief services worsened, and activity supply completely disappeared for a period, says Linda Haugland.
The Bergen woman is the mother of two children in great need of help. She describes what happened when the corona pandemic hit Norway six months ago. Shortly thereafter, a series of infection control measures went into effect.
A recent study shows that this has particularly affected vulnerable groups.
Emilie, 17, has cerebral palsy and her older brother Eirik, 22, has childhood autism.
– They both lack language and are very retarded, says Haugland.
Recently, Haugland was informed that Eirik will again lose leisure activities for a few days, without knowing for how long, because the municipality of Bergen has tightened infection control measures.
Bitten by blood
Haugland says both boys have a deteriorating living situation after various infection control measures were implemented.
Various health services and activities were closed or limited, in many cases the physical contact between people is gone.
For most of us, the consequences are to live, but a recent study shows that infection control measures have hit the disabled and chronically ill hard.
PRAY FOR BLOOD: Eirik has “childhood autism” and has become more restless and depressed from cuts in services. Photo: Robert Reinlund / TV 2
Eirik has clearly shown how he reacts to the fact that his everyday life has changed.
– As a mother, it hurts to see that he hurt himself from an anxiety attack, he ate his fingertips until blood came out. Eirik has no verbal language and when the going gets tough, this is one way to show that he is suffering, says Haugland.
While healthy children can more easily adjust to everyday life with increased screen use and can stay in touch with friends over the phone, this is not possible for Linda Haugland’s children.
ISOLATED: Emilie lost the opportunity to have contact with other people when the crown measures were introduced. While other children can keep in touch by phone and video, Emilie cannot. Nor can it be taught at a distance, as other children and young people can. Photo: Robert Reinlund / TV 2
– And how can I explain to someone with severe mental retardation that there is a pandemic in Norway? That life is not like it used to be, infection control measures, no understanding, Haugland tells TV 2.
Haugland worries about what will happen if he gets sick and cannot care for the children:
– It can be a massive care burden and we may not be able to use school or leisure activities. Who will then attend the home of all the relatives to whom this applies? He asks.
– Great consequences
“Covid-19 has had significant consequences for the disabled, chronically ill and their families, they have been deprived of absolutely necessary and crucial services that have caused them great pain,” says Secretary General Lilly Ann Elvestad of the Joint Organization for the disabled.
She says the consequence for many is mental challenges in relation to isolation and depression.
– They have returned to their state of health and, not least, children who completely depend on special education and adapted education have lost it overnight, explains Elvestad.
MAIN CONSEQUENCES: The Joint Organization for the Disabled has conducted a survey among the chronically ill and disabled after the entry into force of infection control measures. It shows that more than 1 in 3 experience declining health, depression, isolation, and some also struggle with suicidal thoughts. Photo: FFO
FFO represents 350,000 members, is behind the disturbing survey. A recent study shows that infection control measures have hit many chronically ill and disabled people much harder.
No one infected, still shuts down
Elvestad fears the reduction in services is about finances
– Then we began to think that it is about convenience. We know that there are municipalities that have closed without having had a single case of contagion, says Elvestad.
FFO states that many lose a plan, many have not received services, and do not know when it will be implemented.
The joint disability organization believes that many are exposed to crime after having been deprived of legal rights as a result of various infection control measures.
Depression and suicidal thoughts
– Many people depend on a system around them that suddenly disappears. And among those surveyed, we now see more people struggling with isolation, depression and sometimes suicidal thoughts as well, Elvestad tells TV 2.
One answers the following in the survey:
“Never in adulthood did I consider taking my own life, but during this period I planned this several times, and it was a miracle that it didn’t happen one of the days. I wanted to die because I couldn’t live with the extreme pain and ailments that I had without physical therapy. “.
– We get stories that make the opposition and all the attention on the hut ban seem ridiculous, when we see what some people experience and what they are exposed to, says Elvestad.
Here are two other statements to support that many are struggling harder after infection control measures went into effect.
“Adapted teaching not good enough, does not take enough breaks. It goes beyond sleep, the child becomes discreet, tired, explosive and more annoying.”
“He was in measurements through NAV and they sent me home from measurements due to the crown, no follow-up. He stayed home and philosophized about life and became very depressed and started with self-harm.
Shocking
– This gives some stories and some descriptions of what many have gone through that are quite shocking, it moves us and is strong to read.
In the survey, more than 1 in 3 responded that they had additional difficulties or worsened the disease as a result of the risk of infection and infection control measures.
The survey shows the opposite:
* The lack of therapies and training offerings has led to more pain and worse health and functional levels for many people.
* Thousands of young people have lost special education, while many family members have had great additional burdens.
* Many people report a significant increase in mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, in part due to a lack of needed services.
Offenses
Just over 2,200 have responded to the survey. And we see isolation, we see depression and sometimes also suicidal thoughts, among the respondents, those who answered the survey.
FFO believes that many are exposed to outright crimes, because they are deprived of legal rights.
– We know that we have and have had an extreme situation, but to the extent that a crime must be accepted, all possibilities must be tried, emphasizes Elvestad.
– What do you think of the fact that more people lose their legal rights?
– This group has weak legal protection, so it is almost unforgivable that crimes occur and we believe that compensatory measures could be put in place here that could solve this in a completely different way, believes Elvestad.
– What is the worst?
– The closure of residences and the introduction of a restraining order constitutes a violation of the law and a violation of human rights. Depriving children of special education, not just for a week or two, but for months, maybe at least half a school year, is not good. Some schools say they won’t receive the offer until 2021, Elvestad says.
The FFO Secretary General believes that it can no longer be accepted that infection control equipment is not installed.
– That excuse can no longer be accepted, I believe that all the municipalities have put it into operation so that the offers can reappear, concludes Elvestad.
