Let’s not sugarcoat it: Labour has a disability problem, and the way they’ve handled the so-called “welfare reform” bill proves it. Despite over nine months of relentless work by charities, disability organisations, and disabled people themselves, educating MPs, sharing lived experience, and offering real solutions, the bill passed through Parliament with barely a nod to …
A shadow is looming over the disabled community: the potential return of widespread, mandatory face-to-face assessments for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). While the world has tentatively embraced a “new normal” post-pandemic, for many disabled people, a key accessibility measure introduced during the crisis is under threat. The push by some MPs to reinstate in-person …
Hi, Due to my own M.E. and other personal issues this week, I have just resorted to asking AI how disabled people in Scotland will be impacted by the proposed welfare cuts by the Government in Westminster. I had previously seen people who live in Scotland saying they won’t be impacted so I was surprised …
As our community navigates the complex and often brutal realities of energy-limiting conditions (ELCs) like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), we can sometimes find ourselves at the crossroads of language and lived experience. This was highlighted last week in comments posted in reply to a The Canary Facebook post that included these seemingly innocuous sentences in the …
Hi All, As many of you already know, M.E. Foggy Dog had been campaigning since November 2021 with Shake It UP demanding the creation of a reporting system to report adverse events from non-pharmaceutical ‘treatments. The associated petition, which had 9011 signatures and was accompanied by many hundreds of personal anecdotes of harm, was closed …
Hi, As many of you are aware, the Assisted Dying Bill is being introduced to Westminster on 17th October 2024 and will be debated/voted on later in the year. This is a contentious issue that many people have very strong and emotive opinions about. To be clear – I am not against euthanasia when a …
This blog follows on from this ‘open letter’ I have posted the response received from Paralympics GB / Every Body Moves on social media in recent weeks but am now actioning the next step. Response received 7th September 2024. Dear Sally, Thank you for taking the time to write to us. We appreciate your concerns …
In case you haven’t noticed, there hasn’t been a Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work in Government for the past 6 days. The previous role-holder was moved to the Home Office during the latest Cabinet reshuffle. Interestingly, every other newly vacant position has since been filled but not this one. The question has to …
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis can happen to anyone, it does not discriminate in terms of age, sex, or race. It doesn’t care whether you have a ‘positive mental attitude’ or walk on the pessimistic side of life. You know THOSE people? THOSE people who say YOLO? (You Only Live Once) THOSE people who throw caution to the …
Hi! I thought I had got out of the habit of ‘grabbing rest’ but it seems to have made a return due to the hot weather. I have fond (NOT) memories of needing to ‘grab rest’ when I worked full time, making the most of every spare second in which I could lay flat and …
