Dear Editor,Â
I have had Cerebral Palsy since birth. As I age, the impact on my body is worsening.
I’ve never been able to walk or stand (without support) anyway – and now my pain and energy levels have caused even more deterioration.
I also suffer from chronic illnesses, including PCOS and Endometriosis, as well as autoimmune disease, depression and anxiety.
Like many, I’m now feeling worthless and unwanted as a result of these proposed changes. I had hoped (after 14 years of feeling this way as a result of Tory policy), that I would feel safe, wanted, and no longer scared if Labour were elected. Now I feel betrayed, hurt, and just as frightened for my future- if not more so!
I have never known or felt so much fear as I have for the past 14 years. We don’t matter. Our lives are irrelevant to the Labour government, -just as they were to the Tories!
I had expected and hoped for better. Prior to the Election, Labour were making many of the ‘right noises’ in terms of understanding what was happening to us via policy.
I was naive in thinking, hoping, that under a Labour government people would be treated with more compassion.
Now, we face further cuts to Disability Social Security, and the psychological impact of being labelled ‘scroungers’. I can’t tell you how hurtful this is!
Disability and illness are not a choice. It can happen to ANYONE!
I do not exaggerate when I say that people will continue to die prematurely (should the Welfare ‘Reform’ bill be voted through), – whether it be through suicide, or neglect!
Also, the fact is that (realistically) there are very jobs available for people with disabilities, and there is little support in place to address our barriers to employment, despite claims to the contrary.
The new ‘concessions’ (as of today – 27th June) are purely aimed at stopping a rebellion from Labour MP’s against the Welfare ‘Reform’ Bill -and do not go far enough.
Making the changes only apply to ‘new claimants’ risks creating a ‘two tier’ (and thus, even more unfair) system, and I feel that it is only a delaying tactic- rather than addressing the harsh realities of the policy.
The PIP qualifying criteria is nonsensical and cruel. That has not changed.
The psychological stress and impact of assessment has not changed.
Plunging people with disability and illness into poverty is not a solution to the country’s problems.
The financial support we get helps the economy overall, because our money enables us live ‘day to day’. It goes (essentially) straight back in.
Also, those people with disabilities who are IN work already earn less (on average) than an able-bodied person – and I must reiterate that PIP is NOT just an ‘out of work’ support system:
In many cases it helps pay for transport or adaptations which often enable a person TO work, where they can.
We have already been through enough!
I hope that MP’s REALLY listen to us – and don’t add further stress, fear, or hardship to lives at a later date, by voting through these ‘concessions’ without properly understanding what they really involve.
Yours faithfully,
Helen Sims,
Paulton, Bath & North East Somerset
