Member

Quite often, when we are talking about provisions for the disabled, there will be honeyed words in this Chamber, but there is a danger that the concerns of the disabled will be treated in a certain blasé fashion. It is difficult for any of us to put ourselves into the minds of those with severe disabilities. If you are disabled, particularly if you have a visible disability, the world looks at and treats you differently, and it speaks to you differently. As many noble Lords will know, in the past three years, due to a partial disability, sometimes I can walk about without any aid but, if I am going any distance, I have to use an electric wheelchair—it is electric because I do not have the same level of fitness as the noble Baroness, Lady Grey-Thompson. I see that members of the public look at me and perceive me differently when I am in a wheelchair from when I am not.