Message from Kaliya and Sue #spartacusreport

1/10/2012 12:00:00 pm BenefitScroungingScum 6 Comments

Here is a transcript of the video

[Kaliya's voice is still very hoarse]

Yesterday we launched the report 'Responsible Reform' known online
as the Spartacus Report.

It's been produced entirely by very sick and disabled people and the authors and coordinators of the report have reached the limit of what we can do now.

Sue Marsh's husband has put his foot down and will be taking her to hospital this afternooon. If I don't stop, I'll be following her there.

We're asking you to put your faith in the quality of the research in the Responsible Rerform report.

It speaks for itself and does the job for us. So please, look to the evidence...

[catches her breath]

...and try to carry on until we can come back

[ends]

I have been watching this from afar - as an American (and knowing how Americans are perceived in the rest of the world) I didn't feel it was right, germane or proper to stick my nose in where it doesn't belong. However. You are my friend and someone I am aware of and have been aware of for some time - since well before the current government was elected. When and if you get some relief from the current government's policies, I would encourage you to work toward electing a government more in tune with human needs and concerns - it seems that "Conservatives" on your side of the ocean are very similar to "Conservatives" on our side in that the mindset is "Every man for himself".

Personally, I have always felt a fondness and affection for Britain. I am so disheartened to see the same cold heartedness on the part of the British Government as has dominated the American political scene since the election of G.W.Bush as President. I really thought you guys knew better than we do.

Please, my sweet, take care of you. Being the "Mother" of this effort means that your health is paramount to the effort.

xoxox

I know nothing about Twitter, but I am passing on details of the report where I can and there are obviously other non-tweeters doing it, so people out there are still following up on the hard work of Kaliya and Sue and the others who wrote the report.

Thank you so much, Bendygirl.

Just seen this on the Ekklesia site - Sick and disabled people behind the 'Responsible Reform' report exposing the governments sham consultation on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) have had to pause because of illness.

The #spartacusreport co-author Sue Marsh was taken to hospital with a chest infection by her husband Dave this afternoon, and in a moving video message on The Broken of Britain website, co-ordinator and contributor Kaliya Franklin explained that they had "reached their limits" and had to stop for a while to avoid serious health repercussions.

Karen McAndrew, who wrote the Ekklesia report 'Betraying Disabled People and Welfare' in May 2011, explained: "Our families begged us to stop for the sake of our health, but we knew that if we did not do [this], the truth would not be heard. It has been a desperate last ditch effort to save an allowance that allows us to have a even small semblance of normal life. It has taken a huge toll on our health."

However, the activists have urged that the campaign to stop the government's plans to cut billions of pounds worth of support for disabled and sick people needed to go on, with the active backing of individuals, charities and public figures.

'Responsible Reform' report coordinator Kaliya Franklin (Bendy Girl) has Ehlers Danlos syndrome, which causes her joints to dislocate continually and her body to go 'floppy'. For the last few months she has been unable to talk because her vocal chords have collapsed.

Co-author Sue Marsh has a rare form of Crohn's Disease. On her blog ('Diary of a Benefit Scrounger'): "I was diagnosed 21 years ago and have had many operations to remove strictures (narrowings in my bowel that grow like tumours) I suffer daily pain, often vomiting, malnourished and weak. I take mega-strong medications every day including chemo-style immuno-suppressants, opiates and anti-sickness injections. Sometimes I am fed into my central vein by tube, other times I can enjoy a nice meal out. I have children that I often can't look after and a husband who often looks after me. Our lives are disrupted daily by the misery of a chronic condition."

Take care Sue and Kaliya. You've more than done your bit and should now rest and let the rest of us do what we can. Can't express how much all of us at inclusion Scotland admire your courage and fighting spirit. You are heroes in the disabled people's movement - a movement that needs all the heroes it can find.

To Sue, Kaliya and co, Thankyou for everything you've done on behalf of the disabled of Britain. I wish I could have been more proactive IRL, but am relegated to "armchair (bed) activist" and I am so sorry you're suffering for this, god bless you and your indomitable spirit. I hope you're able to get the rest and care you need.This is not surrender, this is a tactical retreat at at time when you need to put yourselves first. My eternal gratitude xx emz