Blackpool MP with cerebral palsy regularly 'mocked' every time he speaks in Parliament

Paul Maynard says there is still a lack of understanding about people with cerebral palsy Credit: PA Images

An MP with cerebral palsy says he regularly receives messages accusing him of being drunk when he speaks in Parliament.Paul Maynard, a former minister, and MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, said “every time” he speaks in the Commons he receives such messages, despite not being able to drink alcohol because it risks triggering his epilepsy.He argued that people with the condition need to be better supported in preparing for adulthood, and that they are likely to face misconceptions and lack of understanding of the condition.Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions which affect movement and co-ordination.

Paul Maynard says greater understanding is needed to prepare young people with cerebral palsy Credit: PA

Health minister Helen Whately praised Mr Maynard for his courage in speaking out.Mr Maynard, who is chairman of the All-Party Group (APPG) on Cerebral Palsy, was speaking during an adjournment debate in the Commons.He said: “Those of us with cerebral palsy, as we leave full-time education, encounter a much less structured world, where preconceptions about our ability tend to be so much greater and invariably utterly misguided.“There will be people watching today on their TVs assuming I am drunk, because that always happens, every time I stand up in this place I get an email saying ‘why were you drunk before you appeared in the chamber’ when I appear on TV.“I personally find it quite ironic because I am actually allergic to alcohol. It’s a trigger for my epilepsy.

"Perhaps it’s a good thing to have a Member of Parliament who is allergic to alcohol, who can always speak and indeed vote with a clear mind, if only, if only all could manage that.“But preconceptions about cerebral palsy are rife, day in, day out.”Mr Maynard said he has been “consistently struck and indeed depressed by how policy and practice, as well as day-to-day experience, has not moved on since my own passage through education and early adult life”.He cited a report which heard that there is ignorance about the disease and incorrect assumptions of mental incapacity.Mr Maynard told the Commons: “Cerebral palsy is not an intellectual disability, it never has been, it never will be.”He referenced a report from the committee which outlined recommendations on helping young people with cerebral palsy transition to adulthood, warning: “Help and advice for individuals during their transition into adulthood is all too scarce.”The MP said: “People often ask me how I feel about what I must be missing out on in life."“And that really angers me, that question, I get it so often because how could I have any conception of what I’m missing out on, this is my lived reality day in, day out."

"I don’t know any different, I don’t feel I’m missing out, I don’t feel that there’s any detriment to my life experience, but people always make that assumption.“That’s why there has to be a fundamental redesign of the services to equip and prepare young people with cerebral palsy as they move into adulthood, and a lack of understanding of the day-to-day challenges which they will experience.”

Health Minister Helen Whately promised to update the MP the implementation of guidance to support young adults with cerebral palsy Credit: PA

Ms Whately said: “I believe that this House is all the better for its diversity, whatever form that is in. But drawing on experience takes courage, as does doing a job in the public eye.“And (Mr Maynard) demonstrated his double courage on that this afternoon as he told us, and in fact has told me before, how he has, amongst other things, been mocked for his own cerebral palsy.”The health minister said she would meet with Mr Maynard about his concerns, adding:

“I think that he has argued and the report argues very compellingly for further action and focus to be taken on supporting young people with cerebral palsy on their transition from childhood into adulthood.”

She also said she would speak to NHS England on this issue and will write to the MP as soon as she had an answer.

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