Disabled Shooters - Autism?
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:25 am
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.
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.
