If you’re on #DisabilityBenefits, it’s ok to have hobbies, holidays, food deliveries, and so on. Benefits exist so disabled people can live safely, independently, with quality of life. Don’t let government rhetoric make you feel guilty for existing.
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It sucks how in our society if you want to do ANYTHING you have to pay money. While I’m not on disability I am low income. The pressure to be “responsible” and save my money and the temptation to BUY THINGS!!! is real.
For existing or for thriving!
Many disabled people help fill in the blanks for others in home and family situations, sometimes just by sitting with an elderly parent or playing a game with a younger person.
They do the lobby work.
They do the legal work.
They do politics.
They share compassion.
They are there for each other despite the entire society shitting down on us.
If you have social services care, you have to produce a financial document containing 'Disability Related Expenditures'. You have to detail how your money is spent only on disability, or they take it off you towards your care costs. You are not allowed hobbies or holidays if you receive care.
I hate this. I was recently quizzed by services on how much I receive in benefits. It’s shocking. I’m awaiting an assessment for supplementary care and I’m dreading it.
I had one. I am a professional by the way not that it matters but I’m trying to say I know 2 sides. Anyway, was leaning on walls to pick up my newborn. They wouldn’t fit a ramp to my property only a hand rail which obviously no use before son could walk. Stupid degrading system
You wouldn’t believe it listening to the rhetoric. “You work? How dare you!” “You travelled to your assessment by car AND you drove the car yourself. How dare you” Benefits denied etc etc. Today I heard of someone suicidal due to these cuts. Not on my watch!
You would because you know and give a sh*t but I’m cynical and inclined to feel that the DWP couldn’t care less.
“What’s Cerebral Palsy does that get better?” me: “Last time I checked nope but you’re the doc so you tell me.” - He said he was a dr. I ought to have asked to see his GMC reg.
I get a lot of direct messages from people feeling they might have done something wrong with the DWP if they’ve spent money on even basic things which make life bearable. It’s ok. We’ve got you. You get to live a bit x
It is exactly how they make us feel. I sit as a professional (I know how DARE I!) and a claimant. Well educated but born early… again, how rude of me… I will not be beaten by these bullies. It’s basically bullying. How dare you exist is their starting point!
UK benefits system for years has been framed as a very parsimonious and tut tut finger wagging system where you have to ask permission to fart. It "guides the minds" of administrators along hostile lines and makes people feel like shit.
Exactly, i paint and play the guitar for my mental health, what does the government want, just be vegetables getting more depressed stirring into space
Where is any doubt about that coming from? Im 100% disabled from injuries to my spine. Should I lay in bed and slowly die? Nope. We are allowed to live. I am a 12 yr USMC actdu/USNR (corpsman) vet and career firefighter (30 yrs).
I am tired.
You are among the "lucky", because your injury is visible.
For most people with chronic illnesses, they are not.
We are gaslit almost all of the time.
Being gaslight 24/7 makes something with you.
Used to feel guilty like everyone when PIP went on things I enjoyed but then I realised as a neurodiverse person, it improved my mental health. Some people spend it on private therapy, a train ride to somewhere nice and a long walk is my therapy. Surely that's the point, to have quality of life.
I feel this. My UC account is being checked and there's A LOT of Uber Eats on there recently as I'm recovering from su¡cidal thoughts last year and I feel so guilty. I can't ask my 14 year old to do that much cooking though because he's supposed to be enjoying his childhood.
It's more a problem of affordability with the cuts coming for so many, but life absolutely should be bearable. Hopefully this isn't going to be as bad as we fear.
I have food deliveries, I have to do online grocery shops because I live on the side of a mountain (only way I keep fit really), but it’s really, really hard sometimes to carry food up to my house, especially if there are toiletries too. So Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, once a week. (1)
I’d like all these MPs to know how hard it is for me to carry food up a hill. I walk and bus everywhere, don’t have the luxury of a car, people would just say move. Many have said that to me. But where I live is my safe space. And where I find peace. Online food deliveries are a lifeline to me (2)
This is how the media bullying about benefits nearly destroyed me - over many years (when I didn't know ASD and ADHD were an issue of mine). And with no hyperbole involved I feel I'm still just waiting to die because of it.
Understand. Was bed bound for ages then housebound. The first time I went out for a coffee I felt guilty not happy and that's down to how disabled people are framed in the media and political space.
I'm sorry it's made you feel this way. you are not alone
Comments
Many disabled people help fill in the blanks for others in home and family situations, sometimes just by sitting with an elderly parent or playing a game with a younger person.
They do the legal work.
They do politics.
They share compassion.
They are there for each other despite the entire society shitting down on us.
“What’s Cerebral Palsy does that get better?” me: “Last time I checked nope but you’re the doc so you tell me.” - He said he was a dr. I ought to have asked to see his GMC reg.
All these restrictions on what we can buy are just going to hurt people more.
'Ooh, wonder if I'm allowed to'. .
Am I 'allowed' a coffee out?
Am I 'allowed' little trinkets?
Am I 'allowed' to spend it on others?
And this goes to their 'pocket money' vibe.
I hate this part of it all.
#pip
#labour
NHS trans healthcare is pretty much the same.
I am tired.
For most people with chronic illnesses, they are not.
We are gaslit almost all of the time.
Being gaslight 24/7 makes something with you.
Ha ha
Good one
I'm sorry it's made you feel this way. you are not alone