As a UK child with cerebral palsy in the late 60’s / early 70’s, I went to a residential school. When returning after holidays, the school asked parents to get medical verification that their child had not been in contact with childhood illnesses such as mumps, chicken pox, and measles. Consequently, my mother took me to our GP (Family Doctor) for him to verify that I was clear to go back to school. During the consultation the subject of my general health would frequently emerge and would sometimes result in my mother explaining that I was disabled not ill.
50 years later in the UK, has this discussion moved on? Is there still an underlying assumption that disability is the same as illness? How does this assumption affect the development of Health and Social Services? What does this assumption say about disabled people in our society?