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