The government is planning to make changes to personal independence payments (PIP) and universal credit, ostensibly to encourage people into work. Going forward, it will be more difficult to qualify for benefits – the eligibility criteria for PIP and the assessment process are being reviewed.
I will be directly affected. I am 19 years old and have Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP) which affects all four of my limbs. As an aspiring journalist, I hope to become a catalyst for change so that those living with a disability like me will be able to be independent and live fulfilling lives. However, I will not be able to achieve this goal if I am not given the right support.
Why benefits are so important to me as a disabled person
The support I receive allows me to live a life that has purpose. It empowers me, and enables me to be a part of society, to do things that non-disabled people take for granted, such as attending social events or going to the gym.
Beyond this though, the support I receive is vital when it comes to everyday tasks such as washing or getting dressed. Without this support, I would not be able to complete these activities; this support is indispensable for my physical, mental and emotional well-being; it grants me autonomy, choice, dignity, and opportunities; it gives me the independence I desperately crave.
If this support was cut, my basic needs, alongside thousands of other disabled people in the UK who depend on the same system, would not be met.
How does the system work?
To qualify for PIP, you need to have an assessment to determine what tasks you struggle to complete. The way your condition impacts your life is subject to a points system, which determines your allowance. The process is already a very time-consuming, stressful, and extremely emotional process for many disabled people like me, who spend our lives constantly undermined by societal standards, and made to feel unworthy for simply existing.
Like me, many people with disabilities want to work and be valuable members of society. However, the changes to the system will make this more difficult because we cannot function without correct support.
Let’s look at the big picture
Without the support, the reality is that most severely disabled people in the country will not have anyone to help us with daily tasks, which means that we will be unable to leave the house. This in turn, will impact our physical, mental and emotional health, which will affect our confidence and self-esteem. In such a state, it is unlikely that we will be successful in the employment market.
The reality
Most physically disabled people want to work; we want to be seen as employable. Like everyone else in society, we too have the desire to feel needed and to feel that our contribution adds value in society. We should be given the same opportunities as everyone else – but we should also be given the right tools to succeed. If our benefits are cut, our opportunities as a group, will dwindle.
My personal plea
The government’s decision will have a direct and negative effect on me personally, as well as thousands of other people like me.
While, I acknowledge that the country is going through a difficult period financially, it seems unfair to take from the people who are most vulnerable and in need of support to survive and thrive. Without this support, we are further disadvantaged.
I speak on behalf of every disabled person in the UK and around the globe when I say I want to be seen, heard, valued, and supported. Our differences ought to be valued and our contribution acknowledged and welcomed rather than victimised. As most disabled individuals will tell you, unless you have experience of disability, you simply do not understand the difficulties we face.
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