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Wheelchair bound protestors take to the bridges in Bolivia

In Bolivia in South America disabled folk have found a new way to get themselves heard in protest by dangling from bridges in their wheelchairs. They argue that the government is failing to listen to their demands all of which are aimed at increasing awareness of the needs of the disabled and their low level of benefits.

This recent protest is certainly getting them seen as some of the bridges are over busy main roads. Essentially the campaigners are asking for higher state subsidies to help them get by in their everyday lives. The subsidy is currently set at just 500 bolivianos a month ($73; £50) which doesn't go far enough to get the assistance that they need.

Protesters have tried to protest against the president when he visited earlier this month but were forced back by the police with force, even using water canons at one stage to push back protestors. 900,000 dollars are allocated each year for the disabled, half of which is paid out in monthly allowances and the rest goes towards funding of projects, although the protestors insist that they are not seeing the benefit of these projects.

Instead they are wanting a five fold increase in their disability benefits but the government of leftist President Evo Morales has, so far rejected their demands.

Bolivia is one of Latin America's poorest countries and with some 388,000 people with disability, according to official figures, not somewhere you would want to be if you are a wheelchair user. As for dangling from bridges to prove your point, this seems a little extreme. We wish them well in their battle for improved conditions.

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