all big ideas start small

Monday, 9 January 2012

Happy Disability day

I dont know how many people celebrate the day they were 'disabled'?

I did for a little while, and then it faded out with time. But today I am very aware that 12 years ago as a 16 year kid I realised I had a serious mental health condition. I never thought that twelve years later I would be sitting here getting excited that a report into Disability Living allowance reform is finally telling the truth.

Disability living allowance is my lifeline. I now know what is wrong with me and how to help with that condition. It is long term psychotherapy. The NHS simply doesn't fund this and so I have to go private. I spend 45 pounds every week from my DLA for this purpose.

If the reform went ahead I doubt I would be entitled to the higher rate of care. The help I need with my mental health problems are not recognised. It talks about therapy, but it means home based therapy. It talks about not being able to plan a journey, but planning a journey is the only way i can get around. It is planning and planning and planning again for all the different options available to me that keeps me from getting stressed out and makes it manageable.

I am scared of the reforms, so this is a positive thing to happen on such an important day for me personally.

Please look back and see the links links links page for all the press coverage about the responsible reform report.

http://www.brandontrust.org/get-involved/responsible-reform

Saturday, 7 January 2012

In relation to Harry Potter...

please forgive me, I sometimes have very strange thoughts....

When I found the daily mail article about Boris Johnson's support of DLA last night it got me thinking. I aplogise if harry potter isn't something you have read but It struck me as very similar to a harry potter plot.

In HP at the end of one book, Voldemort comes back in the graveyard. During the next book the wizarding world struggles to believe that he really has come back and calls both harry and Dumbeldore liars and mad etc etc.

There is just one newspaper, the quibbler that believes them, and prints the truth. Until this one incident happens that changes everything.

No one can deny it any longer, he is definitely back, and it is time to start fighting against the forces of darkness to save the wizards everywhere.

Until last night, it was just the Guardian that allowed stories to be written against what the co alition government are doing to sick and disabled people. All the other media and press were writing us off as scroungers, and spongers and following exactly what the coaltion wanted them to believe.

And then yesterday it started to change. It all started with Boris Johnsons submission to the DLA consulation being published on the net. First the right wing telegraph, then the mirror, and then the daily mail all published the story. Boris Johnson, a conservative going against his own party and standing up for his disabled constituents. The truth has started to seep in, people are finally waking up to what is truely going on with the coaltion government.

Its time to start fighting the forces of darkness, although not with magic.. but with the plain and simple truth.

Links, links, links

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Hiya Tweeps.

Just use these links as a base to add to twitter all our coverage over the day. Remember the hashtag #spartacusreport. Be creative, google DLA reform, disability living allowance reform, Pip etc. find politicians quotes, promises anything relevant. But remember the hash tag. :) We did it, lets just remind twitter of that one shall we?

NEWLINKS BLOG FOR THIS WEEK. (we have too much to fit in here)
http://allbigideas.blogspot.com/2012/01/spartacus-week-2-links.html

cheers Lucia @allbigideas
created a hub of good tweets, please add to it..
http://allbigideas.blogspot.com/2012/01/tweeting-ideas.html

Here is a list of all the links about press coverage etc surrounding the research. Being a student I like to keep track and keep all the links and references in one place for future. Things will be added as they are published.
press release and report itself...

http://tinyurl.com/78erjru Shortened Report - Responsible Reform (accessible version)

http://tinyurl.com/86h82gb Shortened Press Release link (accessible version)

Tuesday

http://liverpoolstudentmedia.com/2012/01/report-shows-opposition-to-disability-benefit-reforms-hidden-by-government/

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/spartacus-report-reveals-criticism-of-benefit-reform.16412349

http://samedifference1.com/2012/01/10/no-tv-news-coverage-for-the-spartacusreport-on-dla-yet-disabled-cats-get-covered/

http://www.periscopepost.com/2012/01/spartacus-report-government-buried-opposition-to-disability-living-allowance-reform/
society daily
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/10/society-daily-email

http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/01/disability-minister-ignorant-on-how-legal-aid-cuts-affecting-disabled-people/

DAILYMAIL
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2084706/Were-desperate-welfare-reform-Mr-Cameron-hiding-truth-way-achieve-it.html
mentioned in the 3:20 update the link to the daily mail
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2012/jan/10/welfare-reform-bill-live-discussion
bbc ouch
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ouch/2012/01/the_responsible_reform_report.html

http://fullfact.org/blog/out_of_work_families_benefits_costs-3225

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16017

http://liberalconspiracy.org/2012/01/10/exclusive-interview-william-beveridge-backs-spartacusreport/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/10/disability-benefits-cut-shred-dignity?CMP=twt_gu

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=27195

http://liveotherwise.co.uk/makingitup/2012/01/10/can-you-imagine-it/

http://t.co/3dHOFpcR

Update tuesday.

I just listened to bendygirl. I think we need to start a relay team. ok? Time to pull together. I am happy to handle twitter and making sure that people stay on message and spartacusreport keeps trending. What little bit can you do?
To keep spartacus report trending on twitter follow these instructions below this. Keep tweeting, keep copy/paste retweeting, keep adding the twibbon (ill do that in a minute myself)

WE need to do this FOR Sue. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB06R961KaY&feature=related)

Leave me a comment here, send me a message over twitter. any ideas of increasing coverage share them. we can do this, but only by pulling together, ok?

Lucia
http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.com/2012/01/spartacus-day-2-urgent-update.html?showComment=1326197538920#c5232279364270827562

Wednesday

http://camelshump.co.uk/2012/01/09/the-truth-about-dla/

http://camelshump.co.uk/2012/01/09/the-government-didnt-inhale-dla-and-other-lies/

http://camelshump.co.uk/2012/01/09/how-you-can-help-the-spartacus-report/

http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about_us/news/news_items/all_news/spartacus_report_dla.aspx

http://www.channel4.com/news/welfare-reform-why-disabled-people-are-worried

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16024

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16034

http://www.able2uk.com/news/tv-film/bbc-shuns-the-spartacus-report.html

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2326

WEDNESDAYS FOCUS

http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.com/2012/01/impact-of-time-limiting-esa.html
http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.com/2012/01/impact-of-time-limiting-esa.html

we did it! we did it...
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16034
(I use this link as it mentions spartacus, and this is a blog for those specific links around the report. I want to keep that focus. although fantastic news for ESA of course.)

further update: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2084706/Were-desperate-welfare-reform-Mr-Cameron-hiding-truth-way-achieve-it.html

read, use twitter link at the bottom for a shorter url. take quotes share everywhere. we did it. we have the daily mail 10000000% on side

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Thursday
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/12/welfare-benefits

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2085672/Welfare-reforms-Cameron-defeated-Lords--What-surprise.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/12/welfare-reform-win-heartening-fight-over

Thursdays focus
new links blog here

http://allbigideas.blogspot.com/2012/01/fallout-from-welfare-reform-votes-links.html

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Friday

http://liberalconspiracy.org/2012/01/13/why-disability-campaigners-are-a-model-for-the-broader-left/

http://poddelusion.co.uk/blog/2012/01/13/episode-118-13th-january-2012/

http://edyourself.org/articles/DLAhouseoflords.php

http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-path-to-2015-should-be-one-guided-by-our-principles-not-by-doubt-26552.html

http://tanithsplace.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-am-spartacus.html

http://remark.uk.com/community/deaf%20news/newsid-590_Critics%20attack%20%E2%80%98disastrous%E2%80%99%20government%20welfare%20reforms

http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/01/demonising-the-government-sue-marsh-v-chris-grayling-and-emily-maitlis/

http://podcasts.resonancefm.com/archives/8196

http://www.mind.org.uk/campaigns_and_issues/policy_and_issues/making_benefits_fairer-welfare_reform/take_action/tweet_to_de

saturday

Latent existance has a handy blog of videos surrounding spartacus coverage here:

http://www.latentexistence.me.uk/responsible-reform-report-media-roundup/

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Appeal-MPs-vote-cuts/story-14413648-detail/story.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2086770/The-Lords-decent-politicians-left.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

(its old but relevant)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8874589/1-million-to-lose-incapacity-benefits-under-Coalition-reforms.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/apr/08/disability-benefits-reduce-payouts
-------------------------------------------
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES TO DLA REFORM

Response to DLA reform from Dr S fothergill
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmworpen/writev/1493/pip52.htm
Carers UK
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmworpen/writev/1493/pip12.htm
Oxfordshire Welfare rights
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmworpen/writev/1493/pip16.htm
Sense
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmworpen/writev/1493/pip45.htm
Lisa Eagan
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmworpen/writev/1493/pip04.htm
Scottish campaign on welfare reform
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmworpen/writev/1493/pip48.htm
Citizens advice scotland
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmworpen/writev/1493/pip18.htm
Law centre NI
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmworpen/writev/1493/pip29.htm
DWP
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmworpen/writev/1493/pip53.htm

(ok I just realised something.. see the numbers at the end of the links? pip53 etc? change them numbers you'll find them all there :) enjoy

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HISTORICAL
Friday 6th Jan 2012- coverage about Boris Johnson

Left foot forward
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/01/boris-has-slammed-coalition-welfare-reforms-from-the-left/
Huffington post UK
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/06/boris-johnson-welfare-reform_n_1189500.html
another left foot forward
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/01/look-left-06-01-12/
Telegraph
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielknowles/100127807/boris-johnson-turns-his-fire-on-the-governments-reforms-to-disability-living-allowance/
Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/06/boris-johnson-attacks-disability-payments-cuts
Mirror
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2012/01/06/boris-johnson-attacks-government-over-disability-reforms-115875-23685553/
Daily mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2083294/Boris-Johnson-attacks-Tory-plans-benefits-squeeze-disability-living-allowance.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#
If you dont wish to access the daily mail directly, here is a proxy link
http://www.dailyveil.co.uk/news/article-2083294/Boris-Johnson-attacks-Tory-plans-benefits-squeeze-disability-living-allowance.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#

(to add to the daily mail links, I screenshotted some photos)

Saturday
Blog from the Broken of Britain (and bendygirl)
http://thebrokenofbritain.blogspot.com/2012/01/first-they-ignore-you-then-they-laugh.html
Another site covering Boris Johnson's DLA stance
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16002
Able magazine
http://ablemagazine.co.uk/boris-johnson-attacks-planned-cuts-to-disability-payments/
Scotsman
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/disabled_will_suffer_hardship_says_mayor_1_2042533

Sunday
Morning Star
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/113924
(front page)
Monday
Guardian (comment is free)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/08/disabled-people-welfare-reform-sham
another ekklesia
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16013

Tuesday, 3 January 2012

What exactly IS the problem with the welfare state?

In the news over the last few days there have been several articles, which I have linked to in my previous blog surrounding benefits claimants. I read this today which got me thinking.

http://liberalconspiracy.org/2012/01/03/welfare-reforms-how-the-same-fight-keeps-getting-repeated/

What exactly is it that labour need to do to counter the conservative plans for the welfare state? Instead of constantly looking for a solution, should labour not be asking what is the problem?

Refocusing on what the problems actually are and not just accepting that the conservatives have accurately assessed the problems, and offering a solution based on those lines (which will inevitably lead to the same conclusion) might offer a different insight.

So, that is what i am going to do. What is the problem with the welfare state, more specifically benefits?

First, lets look at what the welfare state is. It is a safety net, designed so that those who can pay into the system do, so that those who cant are supported. It doesn't mean that these are 2 seperate groups, and if you are in one you will never be in the other. It is insurance, so that in case of unemployment or disability you are protected.

My main concern is there are very little problems with the benefits system as it is. Thats not to say there are no problems, but surely the ammount of money that is being spent, and the ammount of time being allotted to welfare reform is disproportionate to the problems that exist in the system.

The conservatives have picked a great time to do this. The stats justify the expense. That is if you look at the stats on their own in isolation. However, if you look at them in context to the economy it is pretty obvious why welfare spending has gone up in the last few years. There simply are no jobs. But that is how it works, you pay in for times when you can't so that you can be supported. In fact the high spending on benefits over the last few years should indicate that the system is actually working.

If you look at the long term unemployed, especially in this region (yorkshire) it is again obvious where the problem stems from. The conservative government of the eighties shut all the coal mines wiping out an entire industry across the region. There were no widespread programmes of re education, and re training, so people were resigned to a life on the dole. Children of the 80's seen their parents and relatives out of work, dis incentivised to gain employment, and lacking the skills to do so. There was no longer a job for life waiting as you got out of school, and so my generation were left on the scrap pile. The problem is 30 years old. It has now become generational and entrenched into peoples mindset. They have watched their fathers survive on the dole, and don't know any different. It is the same as if they seen their fathers down the pit, thats where they would have gone because they didn't know any different (not being negative).

If labour invested in this, providing real training and education to provide motivation to young people it might break the chain of worthlessness. I am not talking about silly cv writing workshops and other basics. I am talking about supporting young people in a year of college with a proper qualification at the end of it. Surely it is worth a year of spending on a young person to gain a lifetime of employment?

That is the key I think, it is in the education of young people. EMA desperately needs to be re introduced. That little bit of money from the government says to someone who might not be in college otherwise that they can do it, and that someone believes they can. Expanding education from just being about paper and pen and more about learning real skills as well.

What ARE the REAL problems with the welfare state?

The labour government need to ask the right questions before they can even think of answering them. Ask their own questions. What did they do wrong, what did they do right, whats going wrong at the moment and what is going right?

Sunday, 1 January 2012

happy new year?

I hadn't even gone to bed last night and I read that the assisted suicide report was due out. The bias report written in favour of the idea seems to suggest that some peoples lives are not as valuable as others. It is a worrying thing to think of in isolation, that it could become law to put people down because it was the 'humane' thing to do. (the language use there is intentional).

However, when you combine it with the news from the daily mail this morning that re-enforces the scrounger rhetoric, this time coming from the one person who promised he wouldn't use it (http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/28/ed-miliband-conservative-votes-win) it gets quite worrying. If you get politicians saying things like [the system] "should ‘not pay out before people have paid in’ It implies once again that disabled people are a burden on society and 'sponge' off the state for the lifetime that they are unwell. Not only does the Nazi poster about the burden of disabled people spring to mind, it is important to remember that in fact, DLA is a benefit that enables disabled people to go to work. In addition ESA is costing the tax payer more to implement than it is paying out (or there are certainly a lot of hidden costs such as appeals, medicals, etc etc.).

Also in the mail today we have another disabled benefit fraud case, once again highlighting the media panic that is being whipped up against disabled people.

Mr Miliband, Beveridge also said that the state should look after people from the cradle to the grave. Instead of attacking the benefits culture, shouldn't politicians focus more on making work a better option for people? The carrot rather than the stick? Should the focus be on dodgy employers and dodgy landlords who know how to work the system and take advantage of it for their benefit.

It is all very well to say we need to counter the evils of idleness, but by not giving a proper solution as to how that is going to be achieved it will continue. People need to feel proud of being in work and rewarded and valued for being there, not taken advantage of because both sides know theres another ten people out there to take the persons place if they don't toe the line.

And lets be clear, disabled people want to work. Please don't punish me for the disabling environments of the workplaces and attitudes of employers towards me. I have the ability and the capacity to work when I finish my degree. I hope I will be enabled to.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080927/Law-assisted-suicide-confusing-unsafe-says-Met-chief-Blair.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080776/Now-Ed-Miliband-gets-tough-onslaught-evil-benefits-scroungers.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080775/Strolling-bank-taxpayer-funded-home-disabled-father-claimed-nearly-300-000-benefits-Britain-AND-Denmark.html

Friday, 30 December 2011

2012

Goodbye 2011, hello 2012.

I personally don't celebrate new year at this time of the year, im a bit like the chinese. Although, my new year starts in September and finishes in May. Maybe its because I am an eternal student?

But anyway, 2012 was going to be a good year for me, the year I finally finished my lifelong quest to get a degree. Unfortunately (I think mainly for the university) I decided at the start of this year to extend it for another year by going part time. That decision wasn't taken lightly, but I am glad I did because I haven't really been well enough to enjoy it yet.

This epic quest to get a degree started in 2002, yes, ten years ago. Whereas most of my peers finished this chapter of their lives in 2005, I have continued and the chapter now represents more of a hefty novel.

So, once again 2012 will be a year where I watch as my classmates graduate without me, despite them all being however many years younger (I have lost track).

I will turn 28 this may. Most of the people I know my age are married, have kids, have jobs, have lives, probably have PhDs. Me, on the other hand still feels like I am stuck as that 19 year old student at university unable to move forward. It has become an obsession to get this degree done, so hopefully this time next year, as in half way through my proper year I will be nearly finished (finally)

lets hope.

Thursday, 29 December 2011

Lucias guide to DLA

I think I cracked it! yes, i have sorted the new DLA for disabled people by disabled people.

Give this form to your GP/specialist and let them fill it out...

DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE CLAIM FORM to be completed by a Doctor (md).

Here is the definition of disability:

The definition of ‘disability’ under the Equality Act 2010

In the Act, a person has a disability if:

they have a physical or mental impairment
the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities

For the purposes of the Act, these words have the following meanings:

'substantial' means more than minor or trivial
'long-term' means that the effect of the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least twelve months (there are special rules covering recurring or fluctuating conditions)
'normal day-to-day activities' include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping

rogressive conditions considered to be a disability

There are additional provisions relating to people with progressive conditions. People with HIV, cancer or multiple sclerosis are protected by the Act from the point of diagnosis. People with some visual impairments are automatically deemed to be disabled.

Do you consider _________________________(insert name here) to fit within the definition of disability?

How long will this person fit within this definition of disability?

5 year award 10 year award 20 year award lifetime award

how much support does this person need?

Little additional support to function

(1-2 hours a day additional)

medium support needs

(5-10 hours a day)

high support needs

(over ten hours a day)

mobility?

What mobility needs does this person have?

Little

Moderate

High

Sign here:

as a now famous meerkat would say, simples!