What Have We Become?!

You'll have to excuse me, but I'm a little confused. 

I don't wish to appear heartless, because I'm far from that, but how come there's a 'public outcry' when a soldier dies after his benefits were stopped, but thousands and thousands of disabled and ill people have died, for the same reason, and society turns a blind eye?! 

My heart goes out to him, and his family, of course, but how is that reaction supposed to make us feel?

Here's the story:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/david-cameron-slammed-brushing-off-3928427


Disabled and ill people fight nobody knows about, every single day. Where is the 'public outcry' for US?! 


Seemingly, it's OK, that disabled and ill people are suffering and dying, because we are just useless, worthless 'scroungers'...right?! 


What it really comes down to, is that no one should be dying of hunger, anywhere, no matter who they are. The fact that people are suffering, and dying at all, as a result of government policy, cannot and must not be overlooked!

It doesn't matter if we are soldiers, or people on benefits. We are people, and members of society. We deserve compassion, dignity and support when we need it. We don't ask for much, just the same chances as others. 

It is easy to forget that anyone's life can change in a split second. 

One day, you could lose your job, become ill or disabled, and need help. I hope the safety net is there for you, but as this tragic story (and thousands of others show), that safety net is being stripped away, from those that need it most.

What does it say about us, as a society when caring for those in need, becomes too much to ask? 






#helenswriting

Image: Google

Sunshine, and Doughnuts

Has had a much needed break, today. Hospital went OK this morning, and then we decided to stay in town, rather than come straight home.

Beautiful sunshine, and a wander around the park. When you live so close to Bath, like I do, you tend to take it for granted a bit, but I'm lucky to live in such a lovely part of the country.

Today, too, I 'discovered' a new doughnut shop...as in, new since I last had the energy to go into town. So many flavours, and I will be making it my life's mission to try all of them! 

I LOVED being away from campaigning for the day. Sometimes, I get so caught up in it, that I forget I'm a real person, with a life! 

It becomes all about the fight, and before I know it, what energy I have, is drained.

When I came home, I crashed out, and slept for hours. As I type this, I'm actually feeling like a human being, again! 

Just to top off a gorgeous day, Mum phoned and asked if we wanted to go up and stay with her in the middle of August, so I'll be AWOL then, too!

Hello, I'm Helen. I disappeared for a while, but I'm back now. Nice to meet you! 

Image: Google

#helenswriting

The Tory, and the Foodbank - A Short Post

Today, I spoke to a Tory voter about the rise in ‪foodbanks‬.

Their reply made my stomach go into an angry knot: 'Well, if people get themselves into that situation...!'

Lack of compassion is scary! People don't deserve that attitude. I'd like to say I was surprised, but I'm not any more.

I talk to many people, in the hope that I will make people understand what is happening here, and maybe change a few minds. Sometimes it works, but that response, is (sadly), becoming more common.

Government lies, and the austerity myth has lead to a shocking lack of empathy, and an 'I'm all right Jack' outlook.

If I could ask people one thing, it would be, PLEASE don't lose your compassion, because when society does that, treating disabled, ill, poor, and vulnerable people so badly, becomes OK, and it is NOT OK!

People are suffering, hurting, starving, and dying! It frightens me that society, (and this government), see that as acceptable. When did it happen? When did we, as people become so selfish, that we became able to turn a blind eye to those in need?

I explained to the woman concerned, that there are a vast amount of people, who are in full time employment, and still need to rely on a foodbank to feed their family. I said that I hope her, and her family never need one. She arrogantly said, 'they won't'.

My final response was, 'well, you're very lucky then, aren't you? Let's hope you always stay that way...!'



#helenswriting

Write Again (2014 Edit)

She's back, 
She says that she's OK, 
No more obstacles
In her way.
She can even write again.

I'm back,
I've told them what they want to hear, 
While inside I drown
In unshed tears.
I've told them I can write again.

She's back
And she is feeling fine,
She just needed
A little time.
We're relieved that she can write again.

I'm back, 
I've told them all is well, 
But they don't know
How far I fell.
I wish that I could write again.

She's back, you know, 
And she is strong,
About time we feel,
Its been so long.
We're happy she can write again.

I'm back 
And I confess
I have been lying,
Because you wouldn't want to see me crying,
Though I know, I'm nearly right again.

She's back
We thought she was before,
But she cried alone,
When she closed the door.
We hope she can feel all right again.

I'm back you know
I'm on top form,
I've fought the battle,
Braved the storm. 
Now, I can really write again. 

The Lib Dems Withdraw Their Support For Bedroom Tax - A Short Response

I couldn't believe it, when I heard (last night), that the Lib Dems had withdrawn their support for the hated, 'Bedroom Tax.'

  

I admit to feeling a sense of relief - for a second or so, and then reality kicked in. It is just words, and it's words, that for many vulnerable, ill, poor, and disabled people, have come too late.

Then, the all to familiar anger came back, and I got a knot in my stomach.

NO ONE should forget WHO voted 'yes' to Bedroom Tax and Welfare Reform, in the first place! Without the Lib Dems say so, the pain, suffering, and DEATH we are going through, would not have happened!

NO ONE should forget either, that they IGNORED our repeated pleas, for the Bedroom Tax, to be stopped...!

WE gave them evidence, over and over, and yet, they continued to endorse the policy - until now.

Lastly, NO ONE should forget that the General Election is getting closer! EVERY promise that ANY party makes, should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Have the Lib Dems suddenly finally discovered their collective conscience?! 

Doubtful.

I think they are on their way down, and they know it! It seems to me, they are just trying to minimise the damage.

Whatever they do now, (hopefully), history will view that party for exactly what it is. 

The party that enabled the Tories to make the lives of disabled, ill, and vulnerable people in this country, a living hell!

They can try all they like to distance themselves from the pain, poverty, anxiety, misery and death that they've caused, by performing a few, (conveniently timed) U- turns, but WE won't forget!

Sorry, the REAL damage has been done, - to OUR lives!

#helenswriting

Don't Hate Us - A Plea to Society.

This government is a despicable, twisted, power hungry, evil, heartless, clueless, bunch of people!

Unfortunately, they have been given the job of deciding what happens to some of the most vulnerable, disabled, and ill people in society...and they are making us suffer, even more than we do already.

They get a kick out of it.

They think that disabled, ill, and vulnerable are worthless 'scroungers' who take off society, and give nothing back. 

The Department for Work and Pensions have doctored benefit 'fraud' figures, and along with other areas of government, drip fed story after story, and LIE after LIE to the media. 

Programmes have been made (and edited in a certain way), to MAKE YOU HATE US TOO, and to make you believe that those lies are the truth!

When we speak out, we are shut down, and protesters are arrested, simply for standing up for ourselves, and other vulnerable people, who are not in a position to speak for themselves.

In television coverage, (that which we have been able to get), we have been shouted down. 

When Owen Jones tried to read out, (on the BBC), the names of just SOME of the people that have DIED as a result of Welfare Reform, Iain Duncan Smith, himself, shouted over Mr Jones, so that those names could not be heard!

You are NOT being the truth about people on benefits. You have repeatedly been fed lies, and misinformation.

Little words like 'strivers' versus 'shirkers' and the emphasis on 'hard working', 'achieving' people. Little words that have done an awful lot of damage - all by design!

It makes people (instinctively) make comparisons. It is a well known tactic called 'divide and rule'. By pointing out (and emphasising) the differences between those who 'work' and those who 'don't', they make you view us with suspicion, and hate us!

They have spread the idea that benefit claimants are 'lazy' and 'feckless.' We get 'something for nothing' while YOU go out and 'work hard' to 'pay' for us. Sound familiar?

The reality is, that most people on benefits don't want to be there. I did not choose my Cerebral Palsy. I didn't choose not to be able to walk, (or stand),unaided. I did not choose (almost) constant pain, and exhaustion.

Disability and illness are NOT lifestyle choices! We suffer and struggle and 'strive', more than the average person.

Every day is a constant battle against limitations, and pain, that we did not ask for...and yet WE are being treated like scum, and vilified by our government!

They tell us we can 'get a job' - like it's that easy! Even before the recession, employers were reluctant to take on disabled people. Now, they are even less inclined to do so! 

There are very few jobs for those that have the luxury of being 'able bodied' - never mind for those of us, that aren't.

This government wants you to forget that WE ARE PEOPLE, and we deserve our place in society, just like everybody else does. 

We are worth something, and yet, we are having our lives systematically destroyed, and the rights, and independence we have fought our entire lives for, taken away. 

Please don't let them do it! Please don't let them make YOU hate US!

#helenswriting

Helen...On Ice.

Is it true that I own a pair of figure skates, even though  I'll never be able to use them, (because I can't walk. or even stand, unaided, - never mind, skate)?!

Yes!

They are white, professional figure skates, properly laced, and in their box.

I've never really known why it was important to me that I have them, but it is.

My mum told be once, about a blind boy that she used to teach. His obsession, was maps.

Even though he couldn't see them, and would never use them, he collected them, like his life depended on it.

Figure skating, (and dance), are both lifelong passions. I read rule books, and notice things that someone who just watched it for 'fun' would not.

I can tell the by the speed a skater takes a jump, or by the position in the air, if they are going to land successfully, or fall.

Why do I love it so much? I guess because it's artistic, technical, and creative, but also because it symbolises something.

It's about freedom, and it's about moving the body,in ways that I can't...and I never have been able to.

I love the glide, and I think that one of the best sounds in the world, is the swish of blades on ice. It sounds almost like music to me, and I could listen to it all day.

I love ice rinks. I love the sheen on them, if you go early in the morning, and the shiver you get when you first walk into one.

I love the first moments, after the Zamboni has removed the top layer, and the rink looks so perfect. I always envy the first person who will set their blades on ice, and make 'tramlines'.

I wish that those tramlines were mine - because in another life, they would've been.

 Image: Google