The heartbreaking story of two elderly Deaf brothers who died in Ireland has been covered in various news publications today, and shines a light on the social exclusion that Deaf people face, as well as the vulnerability of some older Deaf people.
The brothers’ bodies were discovered yesterday morning, and it is believed that the older brother, who cared for his younger brother, had been dead for several weeks. The younger brother was unable to raise the alarm and passed away last weekend, leaving a note that is reported to have said “I don’t know what to do.”
A vulnerable pensioner is believed to have left a heartbreaking note before dying of neglect, after his carer brother died at the home they shared.
Bachelors William and Daniel McCarthy were both deaf and communicated using sign language.
Their bodies were discovered by gardai on Millrose Estate, Bluebell, Dublin, early on Tuesday morning.
William, 76, had been a carer for 73-year-old Daniel but he passed away several weeks ago at their house.
Vulnerable Daniel was unable to care for himself or raise the alarm and he died from neglect sometime between last Friday and Monday, reports the Irish Mirror.
It is thought Daniel wrote: “I don’t know what to do.”
Daniel was last seen on his 73rd birthday on Friday in the estate where they had lived for more than 26 years.
Read the full story here: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/deaf-pensioners-heartbreaking-note-saying-8988248
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alison mcbride
October 6, 2016
so sad x
Bob
October 7, 2016
Heartbreaking. God bless you both – may you rest in peace xx
Martyn Brown
October 7, 2016
What a desperately sad story, which illustrates how isolating deafness can be, but also brings into question the type of community they lived in. I hope this makes people think a bit more about elderly neighbours, deaf or otherwise.