People First
Self advocacy group upset by Holmes programme
People with intellectual disabilities are upset by Wednesday night’s Holmes programme about the closure of Kimberley
Centre.
“People with intellectual disabilities were shown as being incapable of living in the community, as people who have
behaviour problems or who are sick with really high needs,” says People First spokesperson Robert Martin.
“I lived in Kimberley, now I live with my wife in a house in the community. I want the people locked up in that place to
have the same opportunities I’ve had. I know the people on the programme were parents and siblings who care, but we also
need to listen to the voices of the people who’ve been there.”
“I listened to talkback radio the morning after the show and everyone was going on about how it was a crime to shut the
place down – I think it’s a crime to keep it open.”
People First is an international organisation for people with intellectual disabilities. It has groups in most New
Zealand towns and many of its members have lived in institutions.
ENDS