Somebody's Diaries

Dear Prime Minister,

Can we please talk about how cutting the benefits for disabled people puts at risk of homelessness, abuse, and harm the most vulnerable part of society?

Can we please talk about how these cuts will mostly affect people with invisible illnesses, who are already disbelieved and mistreated by everyone (even medical professionals)?

Can we please talk about how these marginalised groups struggle to cover their necessities even if they are working and getting benefits, because life is much more expensive for disabled people? 

Can we please talk about the fact that even if they are receiving benefits, they are struggling to afford basic necessities, let alone specialised treatments that are not covered by the NHS?

Can we please talk about how the NHS waiting times leave many vulnerable people without the care needed to get better?

Can we please talk about the fact that most of the people on benefits prefer not to have to rely on them and are let down by the systems created to protect them?

I have so many questions for you, but the main one would be… what would you do if a dear family member was struggling with an invisible illness and relied on those benefits to survive? 

Cutting the benefits of struggling communities is not the answer to get them back to work. Reforming the healthcare system would be. Otherwise, you are driving people to desperation who are already at rock bottom.

Kind regards,

Member of the invisible illness community who is not even on benefits.