Toodle PIP!

I did intend to update this blog on a daily basis when I started again 9 days ago in the wake of the "Hardest Hit" march, but a bout of low mood and fatigue over the last week or so has kind of scuppered that... So from now on I will only update this blog on an "as and when" basis, when I feel up to it and feel like I can conjur up something worth reading! Though hopefully that will be fairly frequently :-)

So yeah, first off, the low mood and fatigue. It has happened countless times over the years (reaching a peak last year really) but it's only recently that I've really established a pattern to it and become somewhat wiser to the impending signs that it's coming, so that I can take steps to prepare for it. However, it can still catch me off guard, and last week was a busier week than I usually have. Coupled with forgetting to take my antidepressant medication on at least one day, it conjured up almost the perfect storm whereby from last Sunday night, I was an emotional, confused wreck unable to focus on doing anything much, or find the energy to do so. I do seem to be stabilising somewhat now though :-)

Oh, I should also take this opportunity to pay tribue to Peter and Sarah from Aspirations who did the Great Msnchester Run last Sunday in order to raise funds for ASGMA. And to everyone else who took part and braved the foul weather! It was humbling to watch and you're all amazing people who have done so much good for various different causes :-)

Now, I realise this post has been somewhat scatty up to now (my autistic head), so I will try to focus now on the main reason for this post, and the inspiration for the title, which is PIP (or Personal Independence Payment). This is the name of the benefit that the government intends to replace DLA (Disability Living Allowance) from 2013/2014 onwards. Already, they are making DLA harder than it already is to obtain, by carrying out a "medical assessment" on ALL new and existing claimants between now and 2013, and they are phasing out the mobility component of DLA for those people who live in care homes. This will have the effect of trapping people who could be out there doing something USEFUL, and taking away a vital lifeline, for no other purpose than penny pinching. This scares me a lot, as I am currently in receipt of DLA (low care component and low mobility component) and these medical assessments are carried out by "consultants" from a company known as ATOS Medical, who are contracted by the government and paid more for each person they get off the benefit. And my younger brother, Harry, who is more profoundly autistic, dyspraxic and also has a learning disability (and will never be able to be completely independent) has had an application made for DLA by my parents, and they want to carry out an assessment on him. Now, he doesn't cope well with "strangers" at the best of times, but when he is being asked crude and clumsy questions which don't properly take into account his needs, it will only serve to distress him.

For a more in depth and much better written account of the changes taking place, please read this blogpost on a fantastic blog called "Where's the Benefit?" http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com/2011/05/pip.html

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Today has been a funny one. I couldn't sleep last night, but I had a meeting with Salford Housing Services and my new social worker earlier, to discuss my options for getting my own place. Basically decided that I'm going for social housing in the short to medium term, so went through the application for that to get myself on the list, which was fun! Got to say, my new social worker Gillian is very nice, but I can't see her playing a big role in things in the coming months. No need for her to I suppose really.

I slobbed out this afternoon, then set off to go down to my good friend Steven K Walker;s art exhibition at the grand spanking new Mediacity complex just opened on Salford Quays! (http://www.no-image-available.com/search/label/Steven K.Walker)Now, I am by no means whatsoever an art connoiseur (definitely not an artistic autistic) but it was an AMAZING event, the artwork was fantastic, and despite the fact that I've seen a lot of Ste's art over the years and I know how good is he, his part of the exhibition just blew me away. John Bishop opened the event too, and took the time to speak to a lot of people and mingled without appearing big headed or up his own back side! His brother is one of the artists at the exhibition I should point out, hence his appearance. I would reccommend that EVERYONE who can get down to the exhibition do so over the next six days while it's on, you won't be disappointed!

My ramblings on the "Hardest Hit" rally yesterday.

Well, I got 25 seconds of exposure on Channel 4 News's report last night, so that in itself made it all worthwhile!

But seriously, it was an AMAZING day. I went through the full range of emotions when I was there, from tears welling up in my eyes listening to stories of the sheer agony and pain that people have had to go through, all for the "crime" of having difficulties in their day to day lives in this world of ours, and in 21st century Britain, the sixth richest country in the world. Anger, as it dawned on me the full extent of the government's effort to "cut costs" will have on REAL people. Elation, as I realised that if we can mobilise so many thousands of different people with various different conditions and disabilities together in one place, in a completely unprecedented way, then we CAN force this government to back down and not attack our rights to a full and independent life, and make us feel that we are "unaffordable". And, ironically, cut the means by which we can actually work, contribute and do something useful instead of festering.

There are disagreements, there were imperfections with the way the march and rally went yesterday. But I urge you all to look beyond those, and focus on the overwhelming acheivement of yesterday, of forcing OUR elected representatives to sit up and listen to us, and to put pressure on those who promised to meet you, but didn't bother. My anger and contempt for these specimens knows no boundaries.

Also, on a personal level, I wish to extend my love and biggest thank you to the AMAZING people from rethink, who took me under their wing on the march and let me chant with them and feel welcome. It was difficult for me to be there on my own, I felt a bit left out, a bit isolated, and quite anxious, but the support they showed me was typical of most people in the disability rights movement, and I won't forget it.

But finally, (and in my personal opinion, most importantly) I want to acknowledge the countless numbers of people who could not make it, for countless different reasons (mainly relating to the difficulty of getting there)but who expressed their support in other ways. Such as trending #HardestHit on Twitter, lobbying their MP's via email, or who were just there in spirit. Thank you, your work is EQUALLY as important.

(Oh, and how many ADORABLE guide dogs were there yesterday?!)