DISABILITY rights campaigner, Dermot Devlin, has described how he was ‘shocked and humiliated’ after being subjected to abuse from a small group of young people in Omagh this week.
The Greencastle man, who is chair of Omagh Access Forum and a disability rights adviser with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, was purchasing a new suit for an awards ceremony when the incident happened in the town centre.
He said the incident meant his day ‘sucked’.
Reacting to a social media post by a British Paraylmpics swimmer, Will Perry, who said he was ‘sick to death’ of dwarfism abuse, Mr Devlin revealed details of the abuse he received.
“I have MPS Morquio, and one of the symptoms is dwarfism also,” he said.
“I’m 42, and never have never faced the same abuse as Will Perry – that is until today (Tuesday) in Omagh, when I went shopping for a new suit.
“After getting measured for suit and picking one out, I was feeling good about myself; motivated, excited for the awards and for 2022.
“I stepped outside, and heard all this laughing. I turned around, and saw people pointing at me and their phones out.
“I’m normally a stronger person, but I was shocked, so I turned around in my wheelchair and ran in fright and humiliation in the opposite direction. For one moment, I experienced what Will and many others face daily.
“It took the goodwill I felt, and killed it. I happened to be meeting my friend for lunch straight after. I didn’t say anything to her, but it was good to be in familiar grounds, with people I trust.”
Late last year, Mr Devlin was subjected to online abuse on social media. At that time, he said he wouldn’t let the online trolls stop him from continuing the work that he was doing to highlight the needs of those with disabilities.
As a result of his posting the details about this latest incident, he received a large number of supportive messages on social media.
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