Letters: Disabled people shouldn't need to be Paralympians to have dignity

A Big Issue reader calls for Labour to deliver for disabled people, another recounts being made to feel ashamed for applying for benefits after becoming disabled.

Disabled people have waited long enough

I agree with the disability charity Sense that Labour needs to deliver for disabled people in ways that haven’t been seen before. Having to deal with the consequences of a care and welfare system that often fails you is one of the most horrible experiences you can endure. The assumption – and for some a cruel reality – that if you have a disability you will always end up in poverty needs to be challenged. 

Regardless of how your disability defines you, you are still a human being that needs to have the same kind of chances as other parts of society. Yes, this may not lead to being a Paralympian or a famous singer but it should mean that dignity is attainable and a life that society values. There are the resources out there to do it today if we really want change to happen.  

It’s over four decades since disabled people chained themselves to buses to make it possible for a wheelchair user to catch a bus. I think disability has waited long enough. Please, please can we finally make support systems work properly for disabled people?  

Christopher

It’s difficult for disabled people

I was forced to give up a job I loved due to multiple chronic conditions. When I applied to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), I was told my claim would be processed in three to six months. When my online appointment was scheduled I was kept waiting for an hour and was told my assessor was working from home and unable to access the internet. There was no apology. 

When the appointment was eventually rescheduled only two questions were asked. First: did I have stairs in my house? Nothing was asked regarding how I managed the stairs, or if I was able to use the stairs without assistance. I’ve lived in this house for 25 years; I can’t just move because I am now disabled. 

I practically live in one downstairs room. I have arthritis, impaired hearing, balance issues and vision loss. When my partner is at work, I can do nothing for myself. The other question that was asked was “What do you do all day”? 

The whole process was humiliating and I was made to feel I was stealing from the government even though I paid tax and National Insurance contributions for 40 years before being forced to stop working.  

It’s very difficult for disabled people and the new Labour government is unlikely to do anything to change that. 

Tina Montaut

On the ground

Having just enjoyed reading your Christmas issue, I write in appreciation of its feet-on-the-ground approach to the problems and ills that blight our society. Unless those in charge embrace your straightforward views there is little hope of this country returning to when it was a much more pleasant place to live.  

A case in point is the ludicrous awards to all and sundry, often for failure to deliver what they are paid to do and society expects. The Post Office shenanigans, the contaminated blood scandal and the broken promises of governments shame everyone involved.

W Banks, Ketton 

I care

I’ve just read Oliver Davis’s piece about being a young carer, and thought it extremely moving. To be a carer is hard for anyone but to be a carer when still a child is heartbreakingly difficult. This is the kind of thing that should be looked up during Streeting’s care review – support is essential. A very moving story.

@Frances09876, Instagram

Lenny’s letters  

Rescue cat Lenny also finds Big Issue interesting reading. Was it a coincidence he decided to join in on the appropriate page with Coco the cat featured in the letters showing how it’s done?

Pat and Rich Kerr

• Letters: Disabled people live in constant fear we will lose our benefits – which we need to survive
• Hate speech, snooping and benefits: How government policy has ‘violated disabled people’s rights’
• Disability pay gap sees disabled workers earn £1.93 per hour less than non-disabled employees

The good books

I enjoyed the roundup of children’s books in Issue 1645 and Sam Leith’s article on their magic. It reminded me of how much books meant to me growing up and it was heartening to see that writers such as Alan Garner and Judy Blume are still read. Half a century ago, authors such as Rumer Godden and Nina Bawden opened up new worlds for me. I’m inspired to read the modern authors reviewed as well as revisiting old favourites. Thank you!

Julie Silcox, Calne

RE: ‘Labour must clamp down on mega donors’

It’s insane that party donations is even a thing. You’re clearly for sale if you take money off people, and those people clearly only ‘donate’ for personal gain. It’s corrupt to the core and something has got to change. What are we achieving as a country? We are a shambles, a disgrace, an angry mob.

@El.unners, Instagram

We’ve had years of Soros-funded billionaire destruction, now Musk is taking his place! Let’s ban private funding of political campaigns and give every party a set amount of money to spend for their campaigns. The people can’t win in this system. 

@iamjustwayne, Instagram

The government needs to act to stop foreign funding for UK political parties, rather than relying on just “winning the argument against Reform”. Let Trump’s return be a stark warning.

@lightoftheday58, Instagram

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