The hardest hit
Yesterday a friend of mine alongside 400 other people marched through Norwich to voice their concerns around how welfare reform will hit those with disabilities. This group gave voice to many people who because of their profound and multiple disabilities may have found it very difficult to protest. One of the things that worries me about the proposals is the fact that people who live in residential homes could stand to loose their mobility allowance. The argument for this being they live in homes where they should be funded with a vehicle. This is so worrying as in the field I work in those with learning disabilities, the people still in residential homes are often people with huge needs, for whom a car is a total lifeline. Homes are being squeezed all the time as local authorities cannot afford to increase funding and costs are rising. So the outcome will be invisible people. Those with the highest needs could end up trapped in their homes, their lives getting smaller. Is this what we wanted when we all stood up to say people being shut away in hospital was unacceptable? To me we are in danger due to cuts of creating mini institutions all over the country. People with disabilities do not think easy life, let's take everything we can from the system. If you want to find hard working people go spend time with people with disabilities, no one said mmmm yes give me a life long condition so I can get a free car. As a society we should help everyone make their contribution to the fabric of our communities and people with disabilities have a huge amount they can bring to the table, but only if they can get there. DLA is an enabling benefit, non means tested and designed to help people have full lives. If you like me want everyone in Britain to have a voice and have a choice you need to write to your mp to voice your concerns or search The HArdest HIt on the Internet. Let's all support those without a voice to shout.