Disability hate on MN

Look up the spoon theory.. it makes a lot of sense.. it has been updated to the fork theory

Still no mumsnet hq response then?

Are we too politically unpopular to be worthy of support?

Disabled lives matter too (not taking away from blm more that perhaps we need to take a leaf out of that book)

You can’t really be a true supporter of free speech but then ask in the same sentence for threads to be shut down that you don’t like. It’s fine to be in favour of some kind of censorship and I would not disagree that it is actually a good thing in quite a lot of situations, but we do need to be honest about it.

That said, do you honestly think that shutting down these threads will make things better or worse? Because when people see that they aren’t allowed to express their opinions, it generally entrenches them rather than causing people to rethink them.

Isn’t it better to remind these people that the stories about benefit scroungers are hugely exaggerated by the right wing press and that their are many, many real people using the system in exactly the way it is supposed to work? That if there are more people claiming disability, particularly when it comes to mental health, it is because it is a rational response to the rotten state of our society and our economic system?

You’ll probably struggle to persuade many of them, but there are those that aren’t sure what to believe where threads like this one and comments on other, less friendly threads may make a difference.

Suppressing things generally makes them worse - confronting often makes them better.

@Lovepeaceunderstanding of the course the pie can grow, but it does needs to be fairer I have no problem with anyone being wealthy, but the sheer nastiness & vitriol on some of those threads is uncalled for it’s not a race to bottom we should have a government that wants the best for all its citizens & not the hateful narrative that is peddled by the government to divide & conquer & set people against one another.

On another, someone asked why an anorexic would get PIP as they "don't have food costs".

Wtaf

@3usernames , thanks.

PIP is a disability benefit that isn't means tested, and can be claimed when in work.

@dontcallmelen , I’m in no position to decide who may be ‘undeserving’ but I also think that those who’ve done well for themselves don’t deserve to be punished either.
If we want a country that can offer appropriate support to those in need we must also support those who create wealth. It will never benefit those who need help to cause those who create wealth to leave or keeps their wealth elsewhere. Success for all comes from encouraging everyone to make the best they can of themselves. The pie can grow.

Agree, but it's been a problem as long as I've been on here which is roughly 8 years. MN expects disabled posters and their advocates to "educate" which basically means "tolerate horrendous vitriol and abuse"

95% of the time my posts were just responses to people that had quoted me. I wasn't spamming the thread but trying to add clarity and to correct when I felt people had misrepresented my view or were factually incorrect. Of course when there is a difference of opinion it is unlikely that any amount of clarification of your view will stop people from fundamentally disagreeing hence they respond back and the cycle continues.

I understand this is a sensitive subject and that's why I didn't object to people responding quite rudely to my posts or outright insulting me in some cases. You are right, I don't have to provide details of my own situation, none of us do. The risk you take when you do is that people will make offensive and upsetting remarks about you and people you love dearly or they will accuse you of lying. That's the internet I'm afraid and why I do have sympathy for people that in my view overshare on forums like this. It makes everything too personal and painful. I don't think I questioned individuals on their personal situation too much as I tried to steer clear of that as it's too emotive. I accept this perhaps made me appear cold and unsympathetic.

And more rockers... sorry couldn't resist.
It's definitely the look what they're getting and your not.
Divide and conquer..utter fuckers but people fall for it.

very few people especially in receipt of PiP are gaming the system, it’s an incredibly arduous & often very humiliating task, you have to have medical professionals diagnosis, proof of ongoing medical support, medication regime etc sometimes you are “assessed” by people in no way conversant with your illness/disability/support needs quite often the application is refused you then go onto appeal/tribunal the stress of this is at times torturous.
Maybe if many of those complaining & deciding that some of us are undeserving, should actually look at how the wealthier have become even more wealthier the poor very much poorer, because of this piss poor government the billions & billions wasted over the last fourteen years that’s where the anger & ire should be directed at.

I have reported a post ( on a thread not about disability so I wasn’t expecting it) where someone said that children with cerebral palsy should be killed. It was allowed to stay up. My baby might have cerebral palsy. There is so much nastiness on here about disability.

I am surprised to see your thread not listed here. It was bloody awful.

One poster told me that they hoped my benefits get stopped and I "die under a bridge".
Another was adamant that anyone with MH issues/ND that can post on MN must be swinging the lead as we can just work from home in some mysterious job that just involves answering emails.
Another seems to have an obsession with me running a coffee van, and has insisted I do so on several threads now.

On another, someone asked why an anorexic would get PIP as they "don't have food costs".
Oh, and taxis are a "luxury" that are only acceptable for necessary appointments.

It is a very sad and disturbing time for disabled people right now. It is bad enough worrying about money without the ableist trash being spouted on here too.

@3usernames , ok I was under the impression that the OP was referring to disability benefits. To be honest I have absolutely no experience of benefits apart from child allowance (whatever it’s called now). People in genuine need should be helped of course. Anyone gaming the system should not be allowed to continue doing so.

Makes me sick hearing women say what a man said before I was assaulted. The way this government has given people entitlement over disabled is so bad. Also disability is not a choice I'm only getting my head around being physically disabled. It was a long journey to find out what was wrong with me and now I'm disabled for life. It worries me when my baby reaches school. He is so sweet and thinks I'm amazing even though I struggle at times. But life will change that from what I've read on here today

Surely it should just be a case that any posts containing hate or abuse towards disabled people are reported?

I've flitted in and out of a few of these threads and the main thing I took from them is that generally, a lot of posters are unhappy with the current way PIP works and think it needs an overhaul/means testing/tighter controls or reviews (me included).

You may disagree with that but having a different opinion to what appears to be the general 'feeling in the room' isn't a reason to pull whole threads.

The benefit people have been griping about is an in work benefit. Disabled people can and do work believe it or not.

@IClaudine , I haven’t seen the hate you refer to but that’s not to say it’s not there.
I think that people who work very hard despite difficulties in their own lives and bring home considerably less than those claiming benefits and not working are entitled to question the fairness of that.
My own hope is that those gaming the system are weeded out and that those whose need is genuine are properly supported.

Being totally honest, yes, part of my post relates to your incessant posts on that thread.

What you have to remember is that a lot of people laid bare their intimate details of their individual situations and struggles. You told them that was only 'their perception / experience'

You alluded to the fact that you have disability within your family. You refused to elaborate on that. Of course that is entirely your right, but when it comes to repeatedly questioning others, I'm afraid it just doesn't sit well.

Plenty of people called you out. You know that. Don't try and pretend that it is just people not liking an ' alternative viewpoint'

If you aren't aware of this, then the problem lies with you, not the many posters who vehemently disagreed with you.

Yes definitely not a very supportive place here if you’re a mum of disabled child/ren

often lots of insistence that autism or challenging behaviours related to autism can easily be fixed by ‘FiRm BoUnDaRiES’ and this assumption that parents of autistic children are just lazy and cba to ‘properly parent their children’ 🙄

But I was still pretty shocked and appalled at the benefit thread, being questioned why having an autistic child should mean you’re entitled to any extra money and having a poster insist I have no reason not to work full-time even after outlining my sons high care needs ‘because he can go to a childminder’

@DimplesToadfoot
I am so sorry ! what a lot to deal with and as you say peoples prejudice on top.is too much to bear.
Please don't give up. There are lots of good people on here as well who will wish you.nothing but good things in the future x.