To think there will be more cases like this one? Errol Graham, starved to death.

[BillHadersNewWife]

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-51283186

Mr. Graham had his benefits stopped and despite having genuine problems was left alone to starve.

www.disabilitynewsservice.com/the-death-of-errol-graham-man-starved-to-death-after-dwp-wrongly-stopped-his-benefits/?fbclid=IwAR2eRG_-He70F0dQ9tlHzysRvoLijGdROWhM94pn58cmDPclIxTJgVwEwwg

It's absolutely sickening and worrying.

I'm shocked his son didn't help him to be honest.

He wasn’t the first and he won’t be the last. There’s no compassion for the sick and disabled in this system.

@BamboozledandBefuddled
What I said was "Yes the government is failing people left right and centre but in some cases their family are failing then as well."
As I dont know what I am talking about in this particular case as I dont know the family I said "in some cases" I didnt say this family or your family.

All of those posters going on about family obligation need a reality check, imagine blaming bereaved family for society's fuck up, what the hell is wrong with you?

That's like being in USA and blaming inability to pay essential medical bills (and letting someone die as a result) on just not trying hard enough at school to get a good job.

I hate to break it to you but family is not always in a position to pick up the pieces and often have no ability or desire to. Imagine you have a bunch of knights in shining armour in your life if you like - understand that the majority don't and are just trying to get by.

Welcome to Britain. Survival of the richest now.

Horrific tale
Yet I remain more saddened by the fact he had no family or friends looking Out for him

Acted this wasn't someone that couldn't be arsed to go to appointments this was someone who was extremely ill and venerable and incapable of making these sort of decisions . So the result was to cut benefits instead of doing more flagging up the relevant authorities, next of kin .
The thing is DWP don't give jack shit for these sort of people they don't matter in their eyes . The authorities are cut so unable or won't help families. I have first hand experience of looking after a disabled adult and it's bloody hard work so the posts that have said where are the families he refused help etc etc then you carry on sticking your head in the sand . The truth is this government don't care and I truly hope that you don't find yourself in this position one day because it's bleak .

Last year 726 homeless people died in Britain. Many will have been in a very similar situation; Errol Graham's death has only made the news because he died before he was evicted.

This ^^

@safariboot is right.

Who are the 20% who voted YABU ? Shame on you.

@catwithnohat
Thank you, I think we all need to remember that life can change in the blink of an eye.... sending you many hugs (even tho it's against all MN rules )

@JustALittleHistory

What a load of crap.

Ated it's really hard to engage with services when you're mentally ill. I hope you never have to find that out for yourself.

I also bet you are of the ilk that believe the NHS provides everything needed to a disabled person and that the council will provide care whenever it is needed (so anyone asking for help is a scrounging layabout).

That level of care is ancient history, things are dire for the UK's most vulnerable right now and it won't change whilst these attitudes prevail.

@JustALittleHistory

In THIS country you don't have to be a fucking millionaire to help a destitute family member. It's pretty disgusting that this man's family didn't help him.

Of COURSE the system is shit, but his family should have helped him! How the fuck anyone says they were 'not responsible' is beyond me!

What the actual FUCK?

Last year 726 homeless people died in Britain.
Shocking isn't it ? Hundreds of people dying every year most of these will have mental illness / addictions etc . No one cares

@redwednesday

You can tell CLEARLY the ones who voted YABU! From their shitty comments.

@TigerOnATrain i used your post as an example. There are many on this thread assuming the same as you

Im fucking well aware of that. Im a full time carer myself

When did people stop looking after each other and just expect the government to do it for them?

^I agree. Too many families can’t be bothered to look after their own but are the first to run to the newspapers.

"In austerity Britain, disabled people have become the favourite target. From social care to the benefits system, politicians and media alike have made the case Britain's 12 million disabled people are a drain on the public purse. In Crippled, leading commentator Frances Ryan exposes the disturbing reality, telling the story of those most affected by this devastating regime. This includes a paralyzed man forced to crawl down the stairs because the council wouldn't provide accessible housing; the malnourished woman sleeping in her wheelchair; and the young girl with bipolar forced to turn to sex work to survive. Through these personal stories, Ryan charts how in recent years the public attitude towards disabled people has transformed from compassion to contempt: from society's most vulnerable to benefit cheats. Crippled is a damning indictment of a safety net gone wrong, and a passionate demand for an end to austerity measures hitting those most in need."

www.amazon.co.uk/Crippled-Austerity-Demonization-Disabled-People/dp/178663788X?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Please read this book.

We have to Rebuild our state. I’m so sorry for this poor man and his family.

@HelenaDove

Yeah of COURSE you 'used my post as an example,' and had a go at ME, even though dozens of posters are saying the same as me.

As I said, got your back up on another thread did I? So you're taking a swipe at me to get back at me?

Certainly seems like it.

No you havent I just ASed and couldnt find anything.

I'm genuinely sorry @Bunnybigears It's been a bad day and your comments caught me on the raw. But even when (or if) the families DO care, the help/support simply isn't there. And I see over and over again comments saying 'It's down to the family' and it really isn't that simple. But I apologise unreservedly for taking my mood out on you