A new online petition backing the implementation of Frank’s Law has received strong early backing.
Dundee woman Karin Casey’s petition asking the government to pass Frank’s Law will be delivered to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and health secretary Shona Robison.
The online petition went up on Thursday and 700 signatures were gathered in the first day as word spread across social media, with the total now almost at the four-figure mark.
Frank, who was part of Dundee United’s great team of the 1970s and 1980s, was just 59 when he was told that he had dementia in 2009.
Because he was under 65, he was unable to qualify for free personal care.
The Kopel family struggled on for six years, paying vast amounts of money – around £300 a week – to ensure Frank got the care he needed at home.
He reached the qualifying age for free services 19 days before his death in April 2014.
Since Frank’s diagnosis, Mrs Kopel, 66, has campaigned tirelessly for Frank’s Law – a law which would extend free care to under-65s with dementia.
Mrs Kopel said: “It’s such an important issue which will affect so many people.
“It would be a dream come true if we could finally get Frank’s Law debated on the parliament floor.
“It’s been 40 months – why has it never been discussed?
“I can’t answer that because I’m not the person that is making that decision.”
Mrs Kopel said she was overwhelmed when she heard how many people had signed the petition within the first 24 hours.
Unlike the Westminster system, a petition submitted to the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee does not have to attract a certain number of signatures before it can be considered by the committee or debated in the chamber.
Karin said: “I have known Amanda for a short time through her campaign for Frank’s Law and social media.
“I have met her a few times with items of support.
“It was with this that Amanda mentioned creating a petition.
“I personally feel that party politics are holding back debates and discussions to enable a motion to take forward this much-needed support for families in times of heartache and suffering.
“When all opposition parties in Scotland ruled to discuss the campaign the SNP snubbed it – yet some of their members have openly agreed with it.
“Something has to done and if a petition is one way of bringing this to the fore then it will be a positive result.
“I have yet to hear of anyone who does not back the campaign.
“Age should not be a considering factor.
“Care and support should be available to all who need it.”
The petition can be signed here.
