Learning Disability Today
Supporting professionals working in learning disability and autism services

Woman with a learning disability celebrates cancer all-clear after initially being refused treatment

A woman with a learning disability who was initially told that there was “no possible treatment” for her cancer has been given the all-clear after she took control of her health decisions with the help of disability charity SeeAbility.

When Caroline received her life-altering diagnosis of cancer, her doctors thought she would be unable to consent to the necessary radiotherapy. However, she was determined to change their minds, and along with her two support workers, she successfully challenged the decision.

Her care workers undertook extensive research and provided Caroline with easy-read documents and discussions to help her understand her situation. This empowered her to be an active participant in her capacity assessment.

“Sam and Sam saved my life,” says Caroline. “I am happy Caroline again.”

SeeAbility wants to celebrate Caroline on World Cancer Day

SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the world. It specialises in supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss to achieve their ambitions and live their best lives.

Staff from SeeAbility with Caroline

On World Cancer Day, the charity wants to celebrate how the determined campaigning and unwavering support of its support workers helped save Caroline’s life.

This year’s theme, “Close the Care Gap,” is about understanding and recognising the disparities in cancer care and the urgent need to address these inequities.

It acknowledges that not everyone has the same access to prevention, treatment, and survivorship care and commits to changing that.

The care gap manifests in various forms, from geographic and socioeconomic barriers to differences in care due to race, gender, or age. Some people may not have access to early detection programmes or advanced treatments because of where they live, while others might face stigma or lack of awareness that delays their treatment. Understanding these gaps is the first step in devising strategies to close them.

The charity said this was the case with Caroline’s care, and the ‘gap’ was closed with support from SeeAbility.  “When Caroline was faced with a life-altering diagnosis of cancer. Sam and Sam didn’t just provide care – they became Caroline’s pillars of strength. Both showed an unparalleled level of dedication, being there every step of the way—from the early hours of the morning preparing for the operation, accompanying her to the hospital, and remaining by her side throughout the recovery phase.”

 

author avatar
Alison Bloomer
Alison Bloomer is Editor of Learning Disability Today. She has over 25 years of experience writing for medical journals and trade publications. Subjects include healthcare, pharmaceuticals, disability, insurance, stock market and emerging technologies. She is also a mother to a gorgeous 13-year-old boy who has a learning disability.

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