Now, after five years of Cameron and co, the rich are richer and the poor are poorer, well, I expected that!
I knew the Tories wouldn't have any interest in, or feeling for, the 'common' people.... but (and this is a big BUT!) I never expected them to hurt people like me, or my daughter!
Why? - What might exclude us (and others like us) from Tory 'wickedness'?
Well, my child and I are both disabled - they wouldn't go after disabled people, would they?
****
Over the past five years the coalition (Tory) Governments draconian cuts, cruel assessments, and relentless propaganda have pushed (many) sick, disabled, and mentally ill people worryingly close to the edge - pushed some (largely unreported by the media) 'too far!'
My daughter and I didn't choose disability, she certainly didn't; she was born disabled. There's not a lot we can do to change our 'scrounger' status, either we take the 'handouts' (social security) from the same pot my husband paid into for years I might add, or we starve!
Of course, my 'Littlie' (going on 10, with a mental age of 5) has no idea that (Thanks to Tory/media rhetoric) our family would be judged negatively (by some) she has no idea that Cameron and Co have attempted to create a Britain that may not welcome the disabled adult she will one day become.
I know though! I know, and I am afraid, afraid for myself, afraid for my disabled friends, afraid for all (reliant) disabled people living in Britain.... but above all else, afraid for my child!
Many disabled people have had their lives turned upside down over the past five years - some have not survived the onslaught.
Vulnerable people, who (and I should know) are desperately afraid - deeply affected by right wing 'scrounger' propaganda, and increasingly concerned about their future.
People who's symptoms of illness/disability (in many cases, including my own) have been greatly exacerbated by an overwhelming fear of the next WCA (Work capability Assessment)
An
Mentally ill people who are terrified by even the idea of having to expose themselves (face to face) at a ten minute (tick box) assessment (to a complete stranger) who is unlikely to be qualified to assess Mental Illness, and even less likely to empathise.
People who are despairingly aware, that even if they are lucky enough to pass the assessment, it won't be long before the process begins again.
Many are self-harming, some feel/or have felt that suicide may be a better option than continuing to battle both debilitating mental illness/disability, and the 'powers that be'.
As most of you know (physical disabilities aside) my own symptoms of Mental Illness interfere with my ability to cope with many everyday activities without the support of my husband, and those things I do manage alone, are only doable if he's nearby.
I could give for instances but we'd be here all day; so I won't.
Most significantly, for the purpose of this post, is that my disabilities prevent me from working, and also from caring for my disabled child alone....and, as I'm unable to function at home, or outdoors without support, it also prevents my husband from working.
Although, given that I care for my disabled child (to the best of my abilities) with hubby's help, and he cares for us both (full time) with no help, I'd ask those who see fit to judge us (with all due respect, Mr Cameron) to define *hard working people*.
I'm terrified of the benefits system, I fear the dreaded brown envelope (DWP letter) every day - the sound of the post man fiddling with the letter box puts me on edge before anything hits the mat - the site of any brown envelope on the hall floor puts me in a state of panic, which continues to have a negative affect on me long after hubs has checked the contents, and reassured me that today is not the day that I will have to begin AGAIN the process of proving how disabled I am!
It's a daily, overwhelming fear....I have no idea when the next letter will come, but one thing is certain - It will come!
If, after that next assessment, the powers that be decide that we are no longer (in their opinion) entitled to support, I will STILL be disabled, my daughter will STILL be disabled, and my husband will STILL be a full time carer. The ONLY difference (other than making us sicker) such a decision would make; is that we would have nothing to live on!
We're less than a week away from General Election 2015 (time of writing) and I'm terrified the Tory's might manage to 'lie' their way in for another term, because, dear reader, if they do; they will be coming for me and mine, and quite possibly (if you are reliant, or become so) you and yours too, and there won't be a damn thing we can do about it!
Thank you for allowing me to share
GOD bless you and all those you love
Kimmie x Copyright©2012kimmie All Rights Reserved
NB: The above thoughts, observations, opinions, are based on my own experiences, and those of disabled people I know, or who's experiences I have read about. I do not presume to speak for all disabled people.
POSITIVE THOUGHT
PRAYER
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A Fine Line
You are both hard working by my definition. A lot of people are only concerned with how things will affect them. It's good for you to share how things have changed for you. I hope someone listens. God bless Kimmie!
ReplyDeleteThank you Elena, you're always so kind/supportive :)
Delete"A lot of people", Yes, but, thankfully not all.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read/comment X
Bless you Lizzi, I know you do. - I understand you too :) *hugging you back* x
ReplyDeleteImportant post, Kimmie. Surely it's the essence of a civilised society to look after our most vulnerable members. Yet ours prefers to pander to the rich.
ReplyDeleteYet amid all this fear and despair you've brightened my day with your "positive thought" – if only we could really consign our uncaring politicians to the recycle bin.
Thanks so much for reading, empathising, and taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment Anne.
DeleteI'm glad the positive thought brightened your day, I borrowed it (with permission) from a friend, because (when I first saw it) it brightened my day to :) x
Such an important post, and so wrong that you should have to deal with all this cr*p on top of disabilities
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI agree, disability (and I know I'm not alone in this) is quite enough to deal with on a daily basis. We cope, we have to, but not so well if burdened with added stresses.
Thanks for stopping by hun, and for taking the time to comment x
I sincerely hope the winds of change are blowing across this island next week! #WeekendBlogHop
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteThank you for hopping over :)
Thank you for sharing part of your experiences with me. It means that none of us are truly alone in our struggles. Take care and God bless
ReplyDeleteI agree Rose, through blogger, Twitter, and other networks, the isolation is lessened.
DeleteI'm glad you found something in this piece that helped you feel less alone.
Take care, kimmie x
As a person with Anxiety, Depression, Social Phobia/Agoraphobia, I am one of the people that the lovely Kimmie is talking about here, and I 'know' the fear she describes........... Thanks to you Kimmie for sharing this with us. Sending you & your family much love & light. x
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you're afraid, a fear that outstrips the fear associated with symptoms of mental illness, and serves to exacerbate those symptoms.
DeleteI wish there were more I could do for you than write about *the fear*.... I'm crossing my fingers (and every thing else remotely crossable) that things improve for you (for all of us) after May 7th.
God bless you and yours, Kimmie x
I was and remain utterly horrified by the callous and cruel way this govt has targetted the poor, disabled and those (and there are so many) on low incomes. Cameron himself had a disabled child, yet he seems unable to grasp what everyday life is like for those in a similar position. Many many reasons have been forwarded as to WHY such an uncaring attitude has spread...you and I know that a rejection of God's laws and presence lies at the root of it. When you acknowledge that He died for you, and that all else in bonus, you stop being selfish and greedy, and, most of all, cease from having a ''punish the weak'' mentality, for you know that you too, are 'weak' and a sinner, saved by His grace. In Victorian times, things were equally as bad, and the Tory government held much the same attitude towards the poor and workless, BUT there was at the core of a lot of people, the Christian idea that the 'Lazaruses ' of this world MUST be fed from the Dives' table...or eternal punishment would follow. WE have lost this concept..indeed I am sure I will be mocked by many for even suggesting it. But it is true nevertheless, and the uncaring hard, cruel society we inhabit is open truth of my words. xxx
ReplyDeleteWell, my friend, you won't get no mocking from me.... a "bloody well said" perhaps!
DeleteI've never understood how Cameron could treat vulnerable people so cruelly, especially after loving (and losing) such a beautiful (vulnerable) child himself.
I find it hard to imagine (after his own heartache) that he would brush over (conceal even) the pain (and loss) that his own policies have caused (are still causing) so many people.
I share your Christian ideas, but also know many (beautiful) people who, though non believers, are as appalled by the way this Government are treating it's most vulnerable citizens as we are.... it's all about compassion Carol, some have it, act upon it....others clearly don't!
David Cameron (IMO) wouldn't know compassion (or true christianity) if it smacked him in the face!
I hope i'm making as much sense as you did....I'm so tired, it's a miracle I can string a sentence together ;)
God bless you and yours Carol, Kimmie x
Superb post, Kimmie and one I agree with from my heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you! - I didn't feel I could let this week go by without saying something. Lets hope that by this time tomorrow there is room for (positive) change - something we're never gonna get from the Tories!
DeleteHi there, just found your blog via the weekend blog hop linky!! I agree with every word of this post, I was absolutely gutted that Cameron got back in. My sister has learning difficulties, and my boyfriend was left physically disabled after an op last year and is now suffering from depression and anxiety aswell, so I can totally relate to your fears. Claiming benefits is a complicated minefield and if neither of them had support and someone to help them, they would be in a sorry state. Your point about Cameron losing a child himself is something that really gets to me - I just cannot understand how he can't empathise with others in similar positions. The one saving grace about the Tories getting back in, is that I'm delighted at how people are clubbing together to support and help each other, and try to overcome this nightmare - they will not beat us! xx
ReplyDeleteHi, Thank you for hopping over, and for taking the time to comment.
DeleteI'm sorry for your own family's struggles/worry. These are indeed scary times, I lay awake at night worrying about my disabled daughters future :(
It is sad that Cameron doesn't empathise, I thought he would you know! - and yes, I agree, it's lovely to see people coming together, supporting each other. I'm not sure how I'd manage without that unity.
Take care, all the best to your family. Kimmie x