Lumos' Bulgarian Self Advocates - Let's Talk Lumos TV 8 MINUTE CLEAN
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Dear viewers!
We interrupt this broadcast
for some breaking news
coming from the studio of
"Let Talk Lumos” TV.
It appears that for over 2 months
there has been a second government working
simultaneously with the current one and
consisting of:
The Minister of Education and Science,
The Minister of Labour and Social Policy,
two Ministers of Healthcare, and
a Minister of Finance.
They have been discussing
ways in which to distribute funds
so as to close down the country's biggest
institutions for disabled children,
and how they would team up
to make this easier.
They still lack experience as they
are not even adults yet,
but children and young adults.
But they do know the problems of children with
disabilities, and of these institutions.
They have worked for three years as a team
before forming this secret government
and what you are about to hear
is a result of their combined national
and international experience, as well as
of the solid understanding of a Declaration
essential to our country
by the World Health Organization:
"Better Health, Better Life".
So we paid them a visit
to hear what they have to say.
See for yourselves!
[Minister of Labour and
Social Policy]
If I were a real Minister I would
give money to the mothers and fathers
to take care of their children, and
not leave them,
whether they are disabled or not.
I give money so there can be well-trained staff
at the small group homes, and the sheltered houses.
I give money so that there would be
well-trained occupational therapists who could take on
apprentices from among the
disabled children.
For different aids - walkers,
wheelchairs, and others.
I give money for social workers,
who would peek into the soul of
each child, coming from an institution.
I would support the people who
want to be foster parents.
I give money...
I give money for social workers, who would
make sure that there won’t be violence
at the small group homes for children
with disabilities.
We discussed with the Minister of
Healthcare that it is better to have
social services close by, so that children
can be taken there, when needed.
We would carefully investigate the people,
who I employ, and their background.
I would give money so that...
There would be...
I would give money so there
would be a social hotline
for any family that would need
the help of the social services.
I'll share experience with my
colleagues from abroad.
[Minister of Education and Science-
MES]
As Minister of Education
I am responsible for all children.
I would use most government funds
so that children with disabilities
who have been in residential homes can be included.
I would give...
so there would be wheelchair
ramps and special toilets,
so that children in wheelchairs
can get to the rooms...
can get to their classrooms.
So that in the cafeterias there would be
fresh and healthy food.
And there would be no stale food.
And I want the the Ministry of Healthcare
to monitor this.
Together with the Ministry of Healthcare
and the Ministry of Social Policy
we combined our effort to arrange
specialized transportation
for children with disabilities.
And we have agreed to
organize for a recreation room
where disabled children could
rest and relax.
There has to be...
There also has to be...
We would have to...
We would need funds so that teachers
and parents can work together
for the good of the children with disabilities.
Disabled children
should not drop out of school.
They should finish their secondary education.
And I would personally award
any school where disabled children
do finish their secondary education.
[Minister of Healthcare - MH]
For me, as Minister
of Healthcare
it is important that the Minister be able to support
the people with disabilities in finding a job.
If we want there to be no more children
in residential homes we have to support
families that have a child
with disabilities.
Support workers should explain in detail
what the problem really is,
and how it can be treated, so
the child would have a
normal life.
I would provide more suitable conditions
at dental surgeries
for children with disabilities because
not every child can be treated at a
typical dental surgery,
and for children from homes
it must be even more stressful.
For me, as Minister of
Healthcare
it is essential to protect the health
of each and every citizen.
And most of all, protecting children
and young adults' health.
Together with the Minister of Social Policy,
we would work towards
providing children and young adults,
who are no longer in homes,
with access to essential services
and place them within easy reach:
a school, proper healthcare,
physiotherapists, psychologists,
even work opportunities, which
are offered to young adults
from sheltered houses.
With the consent of the Minister
of Social Policy
we would also create a training
centre for parents
of children with disabilities, in
which they could share experience.
It is imperative that we hire a psychologist,
with whom these people can share their concerns.
I would fund several preventive
check-ups by specialists for mothers
so that the problem can be
detected on time and solved.
I would organize more frequent meetings between the
Ministry of Healthcare's representatives
and parents, and their children.
At these meetings everyone would have the right to
state their opinion, and receive answers
about healthcare issues
important to them.
For me, of all the Minster of Finance's
obligations, the most important one
is to collect all taxes
in the country.
That way I can grant all
Ministries enough funds.
I would give funds to the Minister of
Education for the hiring of
resource teachers to help
all children with disabilities,
and to the Minister of Labour and
Social Policy
to hire people who will assist
children with disabilities.
I would give funds to the Minister of
Labour and Social Policy,
so that he can pay mothers,
who are left without a job
to take care of their children, who
are in constant need for them to be around.
That way there would be no more
children left at the institutions.
I would monitor the funds I
grant to the Ministry.
If they ask for funds over the budget
they have, the Ministers would have to
report to me personally each month with reports
to prove what the funds have been spent on.
Otherwise I would not
approve their expenses.
In each region's key city I would open
an office of the Minister of Finance,
where families can go and state their
opinions, and give recommendations.
I would appoint a special Deputy Minister
in charge of these matters.
I will do my best to personally attend
the meetings of the Child Parliament, and to hear
them out on matters they care most deeply about
and to listen to what ideas they have.
I would invite their representatives to
trade places with me for a day.
I’ll be a student, he - the Minister.
With thanks to
Michaela, Yasen, Teddy, Ellie, and Veliko,
who walked in the Ministers’ shoes.