Disabled Shooters - Autism?

[phaedra1106]

Bit long, sorry!.

As some of you will know I'm a physically disabled sole carer for my 22yr old son who has Aspergers Syndrome, a mild form of Austism. We both shoot, my son is a member of 3 clubs, has shot clay pigeon for over 6 years and full-bore rifle for 2 years and has his NRA Safe Shooter card.

Long story short, we approached his GP who said that as far as he could see no problem with him applying for an SGC, passed police interview, FEO 110% happy, then found out that a letter from a different GP he'd only seen twice in 20yrs (for an ingrowing toenail) completely mis-described him, his condition and the GP even stated that it was his opinion he should not be given an SGC. Durham police were very good an allowed us to withdraw the application so he didn't get a refusal as he then wouldn't of been able to continue shooting.

Moving on to the present we have been unable to get his GPs letter overturned, the GP refused, the head of practice who first saw is now saying we only mentioned the SGC in passing on the way out, PALs and the NHS Trust complaints won't get involved with it at all.

However, as part of a formal complaint to the NHS Trust about the complete lack of support or provision of any services for both him and myself for almost 3 years the trust have agreed that he needs to be re-examined by a qualified psychiatrist and a new affective disorders team, so far we have had 3 appointments in almost 9 months, 1 with the psychiatrist, 1 with someone who did written tests (never got the results) and 1 yesterday with a specialist nurse, also now had 2 visits from his new care coordinator. The re-assessment specifically states he is to be assessed by the psychiatrist and his care coordinator with regard to his shooting.

Yesterday was not a good day, had a first appointment with the nurse, she said the team would not re-assess him with regard to his shooting and that it was not part of the teams role, I pointed out that it was and it had been agreed with the NHS Trust she works for. Then we had his care coordinator on the afternoon and again said she would not do an assessment for shooting, when I pointed out it was his main social activity she even said that shooting wasn't a social activity!, also that he wouldn't be able to afford it if he lived on his own and maybe he should look for a cheaper alternative activity!.

One thing she also said was is that they wouldn't be happy for him to have a shotgun in the house as they didn't know how he would be from one day to the next as he may "change", considering that an almost cast iron resistance to change is one of the core aspects of Autism I found that remarkably stupid, even getting him to make a small change to anything can take weeks or even months!.

So, not a happy bunny by any means. What I'm trying to find is any information about people with an ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) who shoot, I know of one who has Aspergers and he had a supporting letter from his GP and now has both an SGC and FAC. Is there any information about this to be found?, I've tried the National Autistic Society (who very very unhappy about what's being said) but they have no information.

[tackb]

I have no experience in your particular case but my partner is disabled and her parents took the nhs to the high court for negligence many years ago and won , the main thing in there favour was that they had copied the notes from when the negligence happened and when the nhs produced their notes they had been 'modifyed' which they proved with their copy that the nhs didn't know about ! red faces all round!!!!

the moral is keep records of everything and feel free to question and question again and then again if nesessacery ! and in your particular case it's of the most importance because i can imagine that personal predjudice will affect there supposedly neutral opinions?

all the best and i hope it works out for you and your son , you need help not predjudice!

R

[20series]

Hi

Very disappointed to read this, get in touch with Disability Shooting folks via their website.

http://www.dtsgb.org.uk/

HTH

Alan

[ovenpaa]

No first hand experience so all I can say is challenge it again and again and keep going and whole heartedly wish you both the absolute best of luck in getting this through. I am shooting with my son on Saturday and it is always something we both enjoy and something I will always cherish.

[phaedra1106]

Thanks

I've emailed DTSGB and hope they may come back with something, also found http://www.disabilityshooting.org.uk/ so have asked them as well.

[tackb]

just a thought but it might help to get the basc etc involved?

[Christel]

Just what I thought...get BASC or the NRA involved, whichever you are a member of.

Oh and keep written records of EVERYTHING. Do remember it is your RIGHT to see the hospital or GP file they keep on you or your son if you are the carer.
When asked and they try the ..."oh no you can't see this, this is our records"...NOOOO...it is yours!

[saddler]

...but did you ask if he is allowed to do any reloading?

[Christel]

My blood just starts to boil when they try their authoritative approach to one's records.
"You will not understand what it says anyway"

Last time I went to hospital someone had left my file on my bed and when I came back from whatever pre op thing I had to do I sat down and read it.
The look on the nurse's face when she saw what I was doing. wtfwtf

I have no idea why they react that way because it clearly states in the hospital and surgery patient care sheet that a patient is allowed to read the file. Which I told her when she snapped it from my hands.
She replied..."not without the consent of the Doctor"
Utter nonsense.

It is fair to say that the previous time I was on that ward I fell out with some of the nurses, maybe she remembered me :lol:

[Mr_Logic]

I am saddened to read this. Keep at it! Does rather prove why letting NHS run riot with shooters is a bad thing - this is clear prejudice against shooting. The middle-aged mother of 2 is a rather standard nurse demographic, and it's also the anti-shooting demographic. Hardly fair on us!