Thalidomide survivors in Scotland get lifelong support

The Scottish government announced that Thalidomide survivors in Scotland will be eligible for lifelong financial assistance.

Thalidomide survivors in Scotland get lifelong support

The Scottish government announced that Thalidomide survivors in Scotland will be eligible for lifelong financial assistance.

Humza Yousaf, Health Secretary, said that he hoped that the promise to grant grants would be reassuring for those who are affected.

There are currently 50 survivors of the banned drug for pregnancy living in Scotland. Most are in their 60s.

These children are just a few of the thousands who were born with limb defects after their mothers gave birth to them while they were pregnant with thalidomide.

From 1958 to 1961, morning sickness was common with the drug.

The 2013 PS14.2m pledged by the Scottish government to survivors for a 10-year period. It was used for living and health costs.

Ministers have extended the agreement with grants to survivors on a need basis as determined by Thalidomide Trust.

Mr Yousaf stated that the funding was used to provide thalidomide survivors with as much support as they need in order to keep their independence. It has been vital in helping people adapt to their new homes and manage their pain.

"I hope that recipients will feel reassured and able to face any challenges with this support."

David Fullerton, a Loanhead resident in Midlothian, is thalidomide-intolerant. He has a short left hand and no thumbs or wrists.

He is now 60 and feels some relief.

He said that he and his cohort were all getting older together, but are deteriorating faster than normal due to their original disabilities.

"It's a relief that the Scottish government has acknowledged the need to continue to support that additional cost to help us remain independent for the remainder of our lives, the final part of our lives."

He also explained the cost of some items. "Every piece of clothing that I wear for my upper body must be adjusted. Adjustments can run up to twice the cost of the original garment.

"Cars must be adjusted and adapted. Homes need to be adapted.

"I cannot use regular gym equipment so I need a personal trainer to help me set up equipment and secure me in machines. This is something that impacts on nearly every aspect of my life."

Fullerton doesn't see the commitment as compensation, but rather as a way to mitigate extra costs.

He stated that his disability over the years had caused him a lot of distress.

It has affected my mother, my siblings, and my partners.

He said, "Drug safety and health safety are based on this tragedy but it doesn’t end for us.

"There are still cases against the German company that produced the drug."

Mr. Fullerton would like to see some liability apportioned, and stated that it would have been nice to have it settled at the beginning.

He said, "Right through our lives it's just been topping up and topping up." "I have no doubt that in 10 years, when everyone turns 70-73, there will be more complex medical issues and more independent living issues. This will need to be reexamined. It is a relief to have such support.

Deborah Jack, executive director at the Thalidomide Trust, stated that the most recent funding announcement was "fantastic" and "very welcome news".

She said: "Sadly, as beneficiaries age, they are experiencing multiple health issues, in addition to the original thalidomide injury. The costs of meeting their complex needs is significant.

"Many of them were really worried about the possibility of this much-needed financing coming to an abrupt halt.

"We are very happy that the Scottish government has acknowledged this and committed to lifetime financial support. Also, they have agreed to review the funding level regularly to ensure it meets their changing needs.

Scotland was a leader in addressing the effects of thalidomide over the past.

Ekke Kuenssberg, Edinburgh General Practitioner, and two of his colleagues first realized the danger to babies in the womb when they discovered it in 1961.

The Princess Margaret Rose Hospital in the city became a global centre for young survivors. It provided artificially powered limbs that they could control.