Campaign news

Model defends people with Learning Disabilities

Blog, News | No Comments 15th July 2011

Former Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas showed her support for 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Stamp Out Stigma campaign by following the organisation on social networking site Twitter, shortly after expressing her disgust at the use of the word ‘mong’ because of the offence it causes to those with disabilities.

The Welsh glamour model tweeted, “I dont like the slang word ‘mong’. For those who are handicapped its disrespectful. Ppl should b thankful that they are healthy. Upsets me.” The comment was in response to a previous tweet referring to her as a ‘mong’, in which Imogen quickly responded, expressing her dislike for the stigmatising word.

The Trust’s Stamp Out Stigma campaign uses the slogan “Sticks and stones may break my bones – words can also hurt me” and aims to prevent people from using hurtful and stigmatising words to describe those suffering from mental illness and disabilities. Since 1^st April 2010 the campaign has received over 100,000 online pledges with the help of key supporters, such as Stephen Fry, helping to publicise the campaign. 

“I think that it is excellent that a celebrity like Imogen Thomas who is high profile at the moment has shown her support to our ‘Sticks and Stones’ campaign,” says Joanne Waldron, the Trust’s E-Communications & Social Media Officer “It is great that Imogen has tweeted her annoyance about people using these degrading words to others”. 

The former Miss Wales joins other high profile supporters including Alastair Campbell, Paul O’Grady and ‘Loose Women’ panellist Lynda Bellingham in backing the campaign.

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