DIAGNOSIS NOT THE END
The recent Illawarra Public Dementia Forum discussed in the Illawarra Mercury (Thursday, August 6) under the heading had a photo of two dementia advocates standing in front of a screen onto which was projected the message "Dementia: Are you listening?". The Senors United Party of Australia (SUPA) is listening.
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Terry Rushton, one of the advocates in the picture spoke of his efforts to be registered with NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) and the very slow progress he has had since then in regards to support. Probably that slowness is due to the lack of funding from the Commonwealth government who is presently trying to get an increase in the Medicare levy through parliament of half a percent to fund NDIS. Hopefully this government legislation will receive the support of Labor and other parties so that funding and services will quickly improve. SUPA recognises that it was the Gillard Labor government that introduced NDIS in 2013.
Such a funding achievement would also be very timely as September is Alzheimer’s month. Sadly we were informed by Kate Swaffer, the other advocate in the picture, that dementia sufferers receive the worst care in the developed world. Hopefully from next month this will start to improve in this country because dementia not only affects the elderly, it can affect the young as well through early dementia.
Both advocates who spoke so well of the issues concerning dementia and Alzheimer sufferers have early dementia. They demonstrated that even though you may suffer one of these diseases you can still live a very productive life and give to the community. As the heading stated, with dementia "Diagnosis is not the end".
Bob Patrech, Illawarra & South Coast Contact, Seniors United Party of Australia
YOU ARE TO BLAME PAULINE
No Senator Hansen, the next terror attack will be on your head for planting an illegitimate reason and the seeds of hate in the hearts and minds of Islamist fanatics that could do us harm.
DJ Preece, Balgownie
BANNING THE BURQA
In response to "Hanson scorned for wearing burqa in Senate" (Illawarra Mercury, August 18, 2017), you can criticise Pauline Hanson for the burqa stunt, but not for the message she was trying to make. Hanson, walking from her parliamentary office to the Senate was not questioned and/or stopped by parliamentary officials or security because it was assumed the person was a Muslim.
The government is increasing the level of security at our airports, yet someone can wear a full burqa in our parliament and not be questioned because of multiculturalism and the laws of anti-discrimination and intolerance?
Despite being banned in many countries, in Australia we have all sides of the parliament (Liberal, Labor and Greens) trying to protect the burqa, saying it would offend Muslims to have it banned. So, Attorney General, George Brandis can become emotional and tearful over offending so-called Muslim religious sensibilities regarding Pauline Hanson wearing the burqa, but has no problem with offences towards Catholic bishops, priests and nuns in the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras each year? And why isn't Mr Brandis getting emotional about the offence towards those who want marriage to stay as it is?
The burqa is not a religious garment, and is not mentioned in the Koran. The burga was imposed on women as a means of oppression by Muslim men in Arabia and Iran, as Mr Brandis would have found out if he had bothered to do some research. I doubt the banning of the burqa would offend those Muslims who came here to escape some of the radical ideologies of their religion and who now live in our country in peace and freedom.
Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow
