Comber TUV Councillor Stephen Cooper has expressed his delight at the unanimous backing for Ards and North Down Borough Council adopting the Motor Neurones Disease (MND) Charter.
Comber TUV Councillor Stephen Cooper, as a council mental health champion, and Cllr Robinson, as a council disability champion, both presented a notice of motion for the council to promote the Motor Neurones Disease charter and influence positively the quality of life for those suffering and their carers.
Speaking at the Community and Well Being Committee, Cllr Cooper said:
“I am very pleased to have presented this to the chamber this evening, especially as it has received unanimous backing right across the political spectrum.
“I first became aware of the great work of the MND Association after recently meeting with Glasgow Rangers star Fernando Ricksen who is currently suffering from this horrible and debilitating disease.
“There is no cure at present for Motor Neurones but by adopting this charter, we display a williness to go some way to assure those caring or suffering will have our full support as outlined in the charter.
“As elected representatives, we have a responsibility to support and help those in our constituencies who need help with a wide range of issues, and health is of the very highest priority for myself, and I am gratified that that has been reflected this evening by all of my colleagues with their touching words and support.
“I look forward to working with the MND Association in the months and years ahead to continue raising awareness and providing comfort and support to the thousands struggling with this horrific condition.’
The five points of the Charter are:
- The right to an early diagnosis and information
- The right to access quality care and treatments
- The right to be treated as individuals and with dignity and respect
- The right to maximise their quality of life
- Carers of people with MND have the right to be valued, respected, listened to and well-supported.