AIBU to think that all the recent threads about benefits are heading too far towards online bullying?

[LeopardsRockingham]

The way disabled people are being treated and spoken about on here in recent days is disgusting. It is verging on online hate crimes and if ithey were about other marginalised groups would not have been allowed to stand by MNHQ.

The disinformation, the sneering, the complete lack of compassion from so many Mumsnetters is vile.

Disability for the very most part isn't something that people bring onto themselves. Parents don't do anything but have different luck to you and have a disabled child.

My genetics are different to yours so I have a fucked up immune system and the host of problems that has given me.

My DH had a horrific upbringing which has led him to have MH problems- he works by the way. I did too for a long time until my body couldn't cope.

My DC was injured at birth due to a hospital fault.

My neighbour fell off his bike and has a traumatic brain injury.

My friend has breast cancer.

My cousin is dead at 38 due to epilepsy.

My nephew is so unhappy due to his ADHD bot letting him fit in at school and my sister is having trouble helping him through it due to hers.

Why are we so unworthy to you?

Are we not due the same courtesy of online treatment as those of different races and religion...or does that go out the window as you pay for us?

@MNHQ why is it acceptable for you to allow your users to bully the marginalised on this site?

Emotions run high when people are faced with bigotry.

Is it a divisive issue? Would you say that to a person of colour complaining they had been a victim of racism? Why is ableism allowed to stand?

Oh the usual script. Benefit cheats openly boasting about playing the system. At least try to be original.

Right. So you are just guessing then.

A sad fact of life is that people love to punch down.

They've conjured up an image of benefit claimants as being lazy, no do gooders who are frittering their hard-earned tax money away on drugs, cigarettes and alcohol.

When the average benefit claimant, disabled or otherwise, is just trying to get by the same as anyone else. They always seem to caveat their criticism with "Oh, but I don't mean for genuinely disabled people!" whilst never elaborating on what genuinely disabled is in their mind. Or what the criteria is to meet with their approval.

These types of people cannot comprehend how something like MH can be disabling and render a person incapable of work. It shows a distinct lack of compassion and empathy for their fellow person.

Now, I'm not saying that there aren't people out there who claim benefits under false pretences-of course there-like any system, there will always be people gaming it. Ideally, we hope that the checks in place are sufficient to catch them out.

However, it's likely far less than these people project and there are likely more people being refused genuine claims for things like PIP for bogus reasons.

As far all the "But I know so and so across the street from me are claiming benefits and spend their time going out drinking/getting stoned," comments-and? None of that stops them from having a chronic illness or a disability or severe MH issues.

And there are lots of really complex reasons why people turn to substances to cope-and sitting atop your lofty tower may make you feel better about yourself-but it won't help you understand the situation enough to make any valid commentary about it.

Funny how many people seem to be desperate to tell mumsnetters that they are fraudulently claiming!

op I know you’re upset but this is everywhere on mn at the moment, people being bitter and assuming everyone else is getting what they’re not. There’s as many ‘why is mn so horrible?’ threads at the moment for a reason. And mn do seem to be deleting a lot that seem to be targeting. Sorry you feel people are like this though, I agree there’s some horrible stuff being said x

This is what I started the thread about. The horrible things being said to the Disabled among us and our Disabled children.
NOT to include other benefits which I'm sure the majority of MN claim (remember child benefit is a benefit)

I dont quite understand how in a thread about there being too much vile spewing being done to Disabled people over quite a few threads recently. My open mouthed once was the woman who wanted epilepsy for £800 even when an epilepsy widow and a user who lost her mother at a young age kept telling her how unreasonable she was being said it would be worth it for the money.
So yes my point....how can we be bullying people about not being disabled. Do you run too fast or something?

Are you seriously asking if it’s a divisive issue? Have you seen the news recently? And for the second time, I have not made any reference to disabled people claiming benefits aside from to say they require more support.

Could you survive on less than £400 a month?

The only lifestyle choice is potentially becoming ill through malnutrition or dying of hypothermia on that amount.

Disabled and pensioners should get more. People think the pensioners get everything, but any more than the basic pension is taxable income, so even if you have a small private pension you have to pay tax and dont get any of the hardship payments apart from the winter fuel one.
You pay full council tax minus 25% if you live by yourself, like I do and my water rates a almost £600 just for me.

I just wish people would appreciate what disability does to people.

I have a disabled DD. At this point in time, we don't know if she'll ever be independent. She is the light of our lives and a jolly soul. Many people in her life who are not related are taken by her.

I was 25 when I had her. Fit as a fiddle. Then PPA happened. I never really recovered. Gained a tonne of weight and now am a ball of anxiety. Can't even go up into the Peak District without panicking that we're about to fall off a mountain!

Know the stupid thing? I booked a holiday for us in Scotland later this month, lmao.

I don't currently work as I have been out of the workforce for 2 years - well somebody had to look after DD since mainstream schools treated her like the plague. I am currently job searching again.

So bash away those who have never known our struggles. To me a 9-5, 5 days a week seems like luxury. I only claim DLA for DD. Never bothered with CA since I realised it would be more stress than it's worth and not currently claiming UC.

You are successfully, disability bashers, shaming people out of claiming what they're entitled to.

Bet I work more than you do, though.

You may well find it unoriginal, but it happens. Sorry if that’s inconvenient for you.

Are you not on a water meter? I literally just pay for what I use which is about £20 a month.

Isn't it just 🙄

Why do you need to guess when someone is prepared to admit it?

Of course you did.

I don't believe you, sorry. So many mumsnet posters claim that people have told them they're fraudulently claiming. I think it's bullshit used to justify their nonsense claims.

Every single person on MN who posts tall tales about benefit cheats comes out with roughly the same guff. It is so transparent.

No. Apparently they can't be fitted as I live in a flat.

Not that it’s relevant, but yes, I have had times when I have been absolutely desperate and relied heavily on the kindness of others.

I live in a flat and have one?

The ignorance cuts both ways. Claimants of benefits are not only people with opinions that are valid. And from what I have seen they are capable of being as vicious as those with differing views.

Third floor flat and I have a water meter.

Yep, I was told by a poster on another thread that I was "self cured" from my MH issues because I was posting on MN... and that was clear evidence that I could now just walk into a job (one of those prolific WFH roles no doubt.. the ones everyone is going for)... and failing that, I could open my own coffee van... despite the fact I can not look after my own finances, not allowed to drive, and can't somehow magic several £k out my own arsehole to pay for it anyway.

When they're the ones constantly being attacked, I think it's fair enough.