Hi readers, it’s Emily, Kerry and William here, sat outside Coffee1 and enjoying the semi-sunshine!
We’ve been here for an hour, enjoying just gasbagging about all sorts of stuff, like Susie (cat), sexism, being included, technology and more!
It’s been social too, as my, William’s, old (former, she’s not old!) community nurse, Penny, walked past. It was nice very as I haven’t seen her for ages. It was good timing for me and Laura (who helps us edit this column) as we were going to email her today. I’m supporting a case study for one of our fabulous funders and wanted to ask Penny if she’d help. She said yes, which is great!
But today, and at least for two more weeks (there’s lots to write about on this) we’re focusing on the benefit system. We three have all had difficulties accessing benefits we are entitled to, because of our learning and/or physical disability, as have many of our friends.
We don’t think the benefits system, or people in it, properly understand what it means to have a learning disability. If they did, why haven’t they created a system that is clear and accessible for us? The current system mostly manages to make life harder, or for our families and carers, who help us fill in these long and complicated forms. They are not experts themselves either.
For me, Kerry, when I think of benefits, what comes to mind is lots of difficult paperwork, having to jump through hoops in my wheelchair (!), until eventually I receive the support I am entitled to. It’s not like my physical or learning disability are going to ‘get better’, like perhaps a mental health condition might. It’s something we have to live with and need ongoing support for.
More next week….!
The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff
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