I am so angry I'm actually seeing red. Have just sat and watched a documentary on Channel 4 called; The Queen's hidden cousins. Five cousins hid in a mental hospital, because they were a 'social embarrassment' Two of which were reported in a census as being dead. These particular two sisters apparently recieved no Christmas or Birthday presents from the family, one of them had only nursing staff in attendance at their funeral.

"It would be better for them and their commiunity if they had never been born" ~ a quote from a Doctor at the time.

They had 'communal' clothing, shared between a large number of people. They were dressed up if they had visitors, if not they were left in urine soaked clothes.
If any of them misbehaved they were punished, made to conform to the institutions rules; punishments include drugging them.

I find it astonishing how the Queen denies or doesn't speak of this, yet she and her Mother before her were heavily involved with Mencap.

50+ years ago society said it was alright/normal to lock the less fortunate among us away, hideous, selfish and at times barbaric. To keep these people as prisoners is shocking, to deny them a life when they obviously have sense of the world. It said in the documentary that every time the royal family was on the telly or newspapers the Bowes-Lyon sisters Curtseyed - they obviously had some memories of their family, and the mental acuity to recognise them.

I can't believe the person in which our country looks to as the sovereign, the Queen hasn't publically acknowledged this. Yes I understand it was part of society, the norm in them days; but you'd think she would speak about it. I guess in her patronage to mencap has perhaps shown she and her Mother knew it was wrong.

Also having close personal experience with this I recognise the views instilled in people of her generation. They didn't talk about it, the children were ignored, the conversation containing the diagnosis filed away in that tiny part of the brain that clearly states 'not for public consumption' But I've also experienced the genuinely interested person of the Queens generation, someone who is inquisitive and asks questions. Pauses to think about it then says "There were a lot of children like that when I was younger, those people got sent to Lennox Castle, I'm glad they've finally found out and given it a name. No longer will these poor people suffer" - funnily enough Lennox Castle is where the singer Lulu was born :)

I feel incredibly privileged to have, grown up with and continue to learn from my two brothers. While their disability is not at first apparent, they have taught every single person that meets them so much. And continue to do so every day. From their eccentric behaviour, to their superior intellect and their wonderful sense of humour. I am honoured to have them in my life and couldn't imagine a time without them. They annoy the hell out of me, but I only need to say, if I need them and their the first ones there to comfort me, or tell me to wisen the hell up!

I am sad that the sigma still exists to this day, I wish people would recognise the disabled and cherish them, for that's what they are meant for....