Hello all,

I thought I’d drop in and post something as I am aware I haven’t posted anything since Scoliosis Awareness Month.

Since then we have had a General Election. How fun. I have taken the opportunity to write to my MP to congratulate them on staying in office. I have also used the opportunity to raise my concerns as a Disabled Constituent regarding the proposed changes to the benefits system by the previous party.

There was a lot of talk around introducing a voucher based system instead of Direct Debits into your bank. There are many issues with this such as; how do we know who will accept the vouchers? People are supposed to allow Guide Dogs into their establishments and that does not always happen. Even if it is the law.

How can we be sure that everywhere will accept these vouchers?

Also who is to say what we as Disabled people need to live our lives? Do we not get a choice when it comes to brands for what we need to purchase?

The money which we receive finds its way back into the economy when we spend it on the services we need. Such as mobility equipment, physiotherapy and sport massages (which may not be available on the NHS but go along way in helping with our pain management), cleaners, fuel for cars, heating and powering our homes. I could go on with this list but hopefully you get the idea.

Disabled people have to pay more just to be able to exist. We need to power mobility equipment, we need to keep our homes warm, we need to be able to pay for additional transport because public transport does not always exist.

I am hoping to hear back from my MP soon. I want to ensure this Government does not add to the stress and pressure which the previous government caused. Which has sadly lead to the deaths of many disabled people.

We must protect the most vulnerable in our society and that includes Disabled People.

I will probably write more on this issue soon.

Thank you,
Philippa B.