To be terrified about PIP?

[BobbyBiscuits]

I've tried to blank all this out for ages, but today it hit me when the government basically are saying I'm going to (they want me to) have my PIP cut off?
My main illnesses are severe depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder and severe anorexia. I've severe PTSD symptoms and also think I may have ADHD but have not been able to get diagnosed due to phobia of MH services since I got sectioned.
I now have physical symptoms also and severe osteperosis which I put on my last forms. But had no assessment for several years.
I'm praying this is BS from the Tories and they can't do it anyway as they'll be kicked out.
Or could labour still continue this assault against disabled people?
It would halve my already tiny income, other half is from ESA, and they could kick me off that too even though I can't do anything!?

What do people think?

Given waiting lists what do you suggest people do?

Income tax makes up 28% of tax revenue or 25.6% of total government revenue. National Insurance adds another 18%. That tax revenue is the government's, it's not "our" tax money anymore than the other 54% of revenue is.

Why CF? The new CF modulators are giving some people the prospect of a life that was never thought possible before. Some people had a poor life expectancy but now are not only living but thriving. It’s dangerous when people with a little knowledge think they should share opinions.

I also think that 'quality of life' in itself a bit of luxury term. Nobody cares that there is a significant proportion of people in the UK that aren't disabled and don't have the time or money to be able to properly consider their quality of life. They are instead expected to care for our vulnerable and do the often very hard jobs that nobody else wants to do and get paid peanuts for the privilege. There are no cinema trips or taxi journeys for them and yet they are just supposed to accept their lot.

I am in no position to dole out advice on how other people manage their own conditions. There are a myriad of practical steps people can choose to take to manage their anxiety and depression, either as a complement to NHS treatment or on their own whilst waiting for treatment.
I could sit here and tell you how I have pulled myself out of a black home numerous times but it would be pointless as

1. not everything works for everyone
2. there will be many cynics that would counter every suggestion I made with ‘what ifs’

We all have access to information about this kind of thing, it is not difficult to find ways of managing depression and anxiety. I do know that it is incredibly hard, having done it myself, it does not come easy to pull yourself out of an episode but for many it is possible. And gives you an enormous sense of accomplishment is you manage it, not to mention building your resilience. Each time I have an ‘episode’ it is less severe and doesn’t last as long as the time before.

I am not saying that everyone can magically fix themselves… not at all… but it seems that many are simply unwilling to take any responsibility for their own health whatsoever.

That cinema trip might be the only time they leave the house

You make taxi journeys sound like a luxury. They're really not

Taxi journeys are a luxury for the vast majority of the population. I know families that have to catch a bus to get to school each day and they would give their right arm to use a taxi as it would have a massive positive impact on their life. The kids hate the bus and it's dirty and overcrowded. They are expected to just get on with it!

I am sorry but I don't believe that a £100 cinema trip is the only option for someone to get out of the house. I know it can be difficult when neurodiversity is involved but I just don't buy that at all. Even if it were true, how many times would they have to go a week for it to mean that the person had a reasonable standard of life, afterall getting out of the house once a week surely wouldn't hit the mark? Twice or three times? £300 plus!!! This is completely unsustainable and unaffordable. This is why it's important to be realistic in expectations. Nobody wants to see disabled people cold, hungry and homeless but it's hard to accept that cinema trips and other luxuries are essential parts of life when so many people can't afford them.

No the intent is simply to be divisive.

The majority of households in this country are not net contributors. Not just disabled people. So it is indeed ableist to concentrate on one group and omit others.

Google says if your income is £41k or above you're a net contributor. £41k is just over the UK average.

Yes I also agree with this. We need to decide what quality of life people are entitled to as a human right, and what is the remit of people who can afford luxuries or want to put in extra work to get them.

There are people who are caring for the vulnerable, working hard and getting paid peanuts as you say who are disabled themselves.

These things are not mutually exclusive. Stop putting people in little boxes with sweeping statements that are ridiculously simplistic and have no grasp of the reality of disability.

Yes I noticed you did just that on my earlier post when I asked you if you were as prolific on tax evasion/corruption etc. as you were on threads about disabled people.

People often do that when a mirror is held up to their prejudices.

Can you care for someone else if you’re so disabled you need disability benefits?

Depends on what your needs and their needs are

Where did I say that disabled people couldn't work as carers? Why are you determined to make me seem like I'm being ableist to shout down my points and undermine what I'm posting?

My point was that the quality of life argument is never used for non disabled people. It is a concept that most people simply don't recognise.

oh that’s just the refrain of the losing ‘are you this passionate about X or Y…’

Do you have any examples of how this is actually possible?

As demonstrated repeatedly by certain posters!

Mental health conditions and physical health conditions?

Such as?

There is quite a scope to disability. A person could be disabled, but providing emotional support for somebody else for example. Care, can come in many different guises.

Emotional support isn’t something I would classify as deserving financial compensation. Don’t we all do that for family or friends? I feel like it’s getting slightly ridiculous tbh

Taxis aren’t always a luxury.

I have physical disabilities, and due to blackouts/TIAs, I can’t drive. My DH, my driver, died last year. I also have a severe breathing problem.

Because of this, I cannot walk more than about 10 yards. I cannot use an electric wheelchair/mobility scooter (too dangerous to others and myself, with blackouts), and I cannot use a manual wheelchair, because strokes and TIAs have weakened my arm muscles so much. I get limb paralysis. I have to pay for help with household stuff (out of my DLA, because I’ve never been migrated to PIP.) Too old now, I guess.

So, I cannot make it as far as a bus stop - so if I want to go anywhere, I use taxis. It’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Doubt you’d like to spend a day in my shoes, money or not.🙄

I cannot comment on mental health disabilities, because I’ve been lucky enough not to have those as well.

Really? I never would have guessed you felt that way from your posts. Oh well!

A basic example of a disabled carer might be a deaf person caring for a wheelchair user.
Or an amputee providing social support for someone with learning difficulties who needs prompting as d supervision around medication or mealtimes but does not need physical assistance.