First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. And then we win.

1/07/2012 10:54:00 am BenefitScroungingScum 13 Comments

Some much needed positive news....

As most of you know Sue Marsh has been co-ordinating a report researched, authored and funded by sick and disabled people which is released formally on monday.

As happens with every government welfare report, mysteriously, somehow, details leaked out to the media yesterday and so the coverage has already started. It turns out that Boris Johnson's submission to the DLA reform consultation which closed in February 2011 was the smoking gun we needed and the government hoped no-one would ever find. The Mayor's submission stood out from the other consultation responses, not because it was supportive of our claims (almost all the submissions were) but because it was incredibly thoughtful, well written and researched. Some people are concerned that this may be to do with forthcoming mayoral elections. Whilst we understand the concern, we do not believe that is the case as the Mayor's submission was completed in February 2011 along with all the other submissions. It would be very helpful if we could all let Boris Johnson know how much we appreciate his carefully considered and supportive statement over the weekend.

We desperately need to keep up the momentum over the weekend to ensure this becomes an even bigger story.

We all need to pull together to make this happen. If everyone shares the news on their facebook, twitter, google+, blog, email list, friends, family etc we can keep the focus on the report.

AllBigIdeas is collating a list of the news articles here and so far we've had coverage in;

The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Mirror and The Mail!! Yes, you read that correctly. No you're not dreaming. The Daily Mail have actually covered a welfare story, from a welfare campaigners perspective and had to include the fact that the fraud rate for DLA is only 0.5%. Left Foot Forward have always led the way amongst the political blogs with their support for sick and disabled people's campaign against the Welfare Reform Bill and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help us. They would never ask us for anything in return, but one way we can all thank them for their support is to ensure their articles are widely publicised.

So please, share these stories everywhere, with everyone you know. Leave your opinion in the comment threads, email the papers, contact your local media, tell everyone and anyone. Keep watch here, on Sue's blog and The Broken of Britain and Where's The Benefit for us letting you know the latest developments and most of all take a moment to step back and think.

Finally we are breaking through. We can be ignored no longer. We have truth and justice on our side. The next few weeks will be the fight of our lives, but no-one is better prepared for that than us. We are people who face and overcome challenges in our everyday lives bigger than many ever have to face in a lifetime. We are used to dealing with confusing bureaucracy, lack of proper support and having to find our own solutions. Above all we know how to endure, that however dark the night, tomorrow will be another day and eventually we find another way.

If you are scared, remember you are not alone. We have come together to show the true power of our community and that we will not be ignored. If you think you won't be affected by these cuts, remember those who will. If you think it'll never happen to you, remember anyone's life can and does change in an instant. We fight this battle not just for ourselves, but for you, your family and loved ones to make sure that in the darkest times of your life the protection you need and have given to us will be there for you.

With love from Kaliya and Sue.

"Alone We Whisper. Together We Shout"





13 comments:

Rosemary said...

Well done to all those involved in this report. Your grit and determination is to be admired.

For those unaware there is also an e petition on govts website about cuts to benefits and services which are falling disproportionately on disabled people, their carers and families

Please sign it here and share the link as wide as possible.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968

Thank you

Oh you wonderful women. Thanks for all you are doing.

And so brilliant to get that in the Mail. Well done.

Virginiax

Surrealblonde said...

I have retweeted this and have contacted my local papers to urge coverage. I have followed Sue's blog and some others for a while now and, even as a vague person on the internet, i have been almost in despair for the discrimination and the awful stupidity that is detailed by Sue. I hope with all my heart that this provides a far more fair and just system than the one we have right now. I really do. x

Well done, to all involved,

Anonymous said...

Please do not forget the government's plan to time limit ESA!

Call on the government to stop and review the cuts to benefits and services for disabled people now!
Please sign Pat's Petition
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968

I had a look through the Daily Mail's print edition this morning and couldn't find the article about Johnson's intervention. I'll have another look at the print Guardian, but since the story broke yesterday, I would have thought papers would carry the story today rather than leave it until tomorrow or Monday. It sounds like it isn't news enough for the Mail.

Alan Bruce said...

Kudos to everyone, we will overcome!

Maddy said...

I've tweeted and FB'd but I don't think it counts for much since I'm abroad.

cogidubnus said...

I have to confess I've always seen Boris as a very amiable buffoon...but this response fundamentally alters my position...there's clearly more to him than meets the eye...

Irishmist said...

Brilliant news, am really excited! Well done Sue and Kaliya, and all involved with this..will tell everyone we know.

Val said...

Thank you Kaliya and Sue xx

welfare said...

There needs to be more and more media coverage of the travesty of legislation that is being created......reform is one thing, destroying innocent individuals peace of mind quite another...
As a welfare rights worker I am consistently horrified by the standard of decisions so many individuals are receiving.....please please sign up for the petitions already highlighted.

onmybiketoo said...

thanks for continuing to lobby the government. things have to change. some how they have to be made to understand what it is like to walk, or roll a mile in our shoes.
Angela

http://onmybiketoo.blogspot.com