Hello many thanks for visiting my page.
My name is Simon Green, I have a Neurological condition called Neurofibromatosis which has caused me various health problems and for the past 8 years I've had to use a wheelchair to get around.
On Sunday 16th October I will be taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon and raising awareness about Disability Hate Crime. Below are my reasons why.
When I was told I'd never walk unaided again I knew my life would change. But I never thought that having to use a wheelchair would result in hostility and aggression, I never thought that being disabled would lead to people verbally abusing me, mocking me and being physically assaulted.
But sadly it did and over the past 8 years I have been called a spastic and cripple more times than I can remember, been harrassed and poked fun at, deliberatly tipped out of my chair and punched.
I have dedicated a lot of time over the past few years to raising awareness about Disability Hate Crime, the effects it has on the victims and what makes seemingly "normal" human beings behave the way they do.
1,000s of people across the UK have suffered far worse than me. There are disabled people in every town and city who have had there lives destroyed and are afraid to leave there homes because of the abuse they may suffer, and some, unable to deal with the situation they find themselves in have taken there own lives. I'm sure most reading this have heard of Fiona Pilkington, who killed herself and her disabled daughter Frankie, unable to cope with the constant everyday abuse they were recieving from neighbours.
Others have been murdered. Brent Martin had a learning disability and that lead to him being beaten to death "for sport". A group of young men had a £5 bet to see who could "knock him out first". He was chased for a mile and a half and subjected to series of brutal assaults before finally being stripped of his trousers and pants and left dying in a pool of blood as his cowardly attackers posed for photos.
Daily there are many less serious incidents of hostility and abuse and is "MUST STOP".
That is why I am taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon to raise awareness of this very real problem. All the money raised will go via Safer Wales "Prevent Hate" campaign and be specifically earmarked towards disability, to help future victims and organise events/training to help prevent there being any more Fiona Pilkingtons and Brent Martins.
