Dear Prime Minister

10/21/2010 02:56:00 pm BenefitScroungingScum 13 Comments

Well said Kali.

Ditto to alhi. Well said Cal

I really don't know how you could fall for this guy's promises in the first place. He does not have a clue, nor does he care about the financial problems of the disabled. He had the means to care for his son and sufficient wealth never to worry on that score. The very rich cannot ever know the worries of the poor. Not ever, even when they imagine that they can, even when they intellectually comprehend.

When I watch you I see an educated, well-spoken woman. I suspect that this woman has a family who would not stand by were she to lose her home. I see a woman with a safety net, albeit one she would prefer not to use.

Well done for doing this. I completely agree.

Well said indeed. it's a shabby move. 2 years ago when I was unable to manage my solid fuel heating system and still waiting for a Disabled Facilities Grant to replace it, I was trying to get the same home care service I'd had the previous year turned back on again. A top person in Social Services threatened me with residential care as the only option if I 'couldn't cope'. I was only 41 at the time, running a local charity providing essential services for disabled children and young people as well as doing Disability Equality Training and web/graphic design work. I paid for the help I needed around the house out of DLA money and was otherwise relatively independent. The idea of going into residential care was absolutely ridiculous, would have been a huge waste of money and resources and would have had a devastating effect on my mental health and any idea of continued independence. But at least I would have kept my mobility money. I'm horrified at the thought of how this will affect people's last vestige of independence and mobility. And for such a minor saving. It's more than shabby, it's shameful and disgusting.

And as for the comment from the idiotic anonymous, you simply don't know what you are talking about. Your assumption that because a person is well spoken, they will automatically have family backup, is just nonsense with no logical basis.

I agree with everything you said and i am also still in shock as this will affect C.

Great, can I suggest using a Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org) on your website, rather than the more restrictive copyright notice. It can help get you efforts more exposure and still ensure your work is credited.

Anon 1:57pm: You certainly can thank you. I'll take a look at the site now. And should probably confess that I might just have 'borrowed' that copyright warning from another blogger ;)

You are a star. Thank you for putting yourself out there to articulate this - I hope it spreads far and wide.

Good luck with your campaign. My mum has severe MS and currently lives at home with my dad. We have an adapted car paid for by mobility allowance. I hope she never has to go into a home but as they get older this may happen, particularly given the likely cuts to home care services. If she does go into a home then being able to go out on day trips with her family are likely to be one if her few days away from the home. No car, no travel, no opportunity to leave the home and get some respite. I really hope this won't happen.

Another thought - have you considered approaching the companies that provide cars etc on mobility. If there is a question mark over whether someone signing a five year contract for a mobility funded car will be in continued receipt of these benefits this can only create problems and costs for them. Their ability to put together affordable finance deals will be reduced for all who use the scheme.

Good luck :-)

I don't assume that because someone is well-spoken that they have family backing. It's not PC to suggest such a thing. The fact is, educated, middle class folks probably have a fall-back position, should all else fail. So it is likely. Tell me it's not true.

Anon 4.19am: It's not true. I'm educated and middle class but I'm still disabled and reliant on benefits. My family situation is complicated but they have their own lives and ill health to deal with. I'm a 34 year old woman, no longer my parents responsibility, nor should I or any other disabled person be forced to be reliant upon the charity of family members. Do not be fooled by the way I speak, my family are not wealthy, my parents were both teachers who worked all their lives in the public sector.

Totally agree BSS. Why anyone might vote for the Tories, especially when even Labour where talking cuts, does confuse me. In fact this government seems to be even more set on ruining this country that Thatcher was. At least she took a year to ramp up the madness.
The fact the Mr C had a disabled son means nothing. Let's not forget he farmed off this child to a special needs boarding school, or institution, which is something all disabled people have spent many years trying to over turn. We all deserve the right to live independent lives, wherever that may be. Sadly society has been guided to stop seeing ensuring disabled people have full an meaningful lives as something any forward looking society should provide, and now see us as a drain. Even more sadly many disabled people now how that view too.
The fact that the Mobility component of DLA is being taken from anyone residing in long term care is as disgusting as all the other benefit changes announced. It shows a total lack of knowledge around the subject, which is criminal in our leaders.
Lets face it, the Tories will always target the poorest and powerless in favour of targeting the real culprits for the financial mess we are now in, the financial institutions. Maybe they should be going after the people who reside in those, and leave people in care homes alone, eh?
These are dark days for disabled people, and with so long left before the next election things will get darker. We must go onto the streets to make our voices heard.