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" I don't know what papers you get but todays (Sat) Times has an interview (adoring in tone - quelle -surprise) with James Purnell along with a further article on proposed welfare reform all of which makes rather gloomy and uncomfortable reading. I imagine there will have been other papers enthusiastically carrying news of the impending new green paper. The expectation that the proposals will be tougher still than what is currently underway seems certain to be realised particularly since David Freud's proposals are being taken several steps further.
The loss of interest and public sympathy for those with disabilities is a potent weapon in the governments armoury when introducing these new measures and they are determined to carefully propound the argument that work benefits ill-health, viz it is good medicine that will improve our health and prospects..
In view of the meeting held with Lisa Power and the need to move forward on this campaign I would certainly suggest that THT needs (along with the other disability organisations it has connections with) to forcefully counter these kinds of sophist arguments. We know the reason that many of us have survived and maintained our health despite the problems of ageing/drug toxicities and HIV related complications is precisely because we have been (until now) able to concentrate on maintaining health and not forced to deal with the burden of full-time work that would have negatively impacted on our health. THT MUST NOT allow these truths to be obfuscated by these government slogans. If they wish to redeem their credentials with HIV Survivors they should take up the baton NOW and counter these untruths so convenient in supporting the enactment of the James Purnell/ Government agenda.THT knows what's coming ; do they intend to truly represent us? Or are they to continue playing fast and loose with our futures? If they are not willing to speak up convincingly I would propose some serious questioning, in the Gay Press at the very least, of their right to be consulted about and speak for our needs.
I have again had problems with adding comment on the blogs so have been unable to do so (and I certainly had a few to make following your posting after the KVN meeting with Lisa Power). If the DCS meetings are 3 monthly she has ample time to channel our views and to mobilise other lobbyists and address our concerns with some conviction. she has access to many parliamentary ears not least APPGA among others, and the policy officers of other disability groups .It seems about time THT used these auspices to defend us from this savage programme.It's REALLY time that the voices of long term survivors of HIV /Cancer/MS/etc. etc are HEARD and not these feeble mouthpieces that purport to speak for us in these political forums!
I thought it disingenuous that she stated THT's ignorance of the legal implications of the act leading to superceding of the Life entitlement nor did I for one minute accept that the confidentiality agreement they entered into was on balance the right thing to do.The implications of RPPs implementation did not become widely known at it's "commencement" (when as I understand it the embargo on confidentiality ceased to apply - according to what appears to have been said by Lisa Power) but rather months down the line when sufficient people were in emotional extemis and desperately searching for support and help by which time you and T-Cell had begun to fill that vacuum.THT left us to hang out to dry! A more proactive course both then and now would be to liaise immediately with ALL the disability organisations - urge them to seek out "on the ground" what those undergoing these reviews are feeling (aside from disenfranchised) and be DIRECTED by the needs of those individuals.They do have the means to accomplish this ( both financially andwith the muscle that goes with their profile) and I for one will never forgive them if they lack that will, when you and T-Cell / KVN etc take forward this fight unfunded whilst dealing with ill-health and the burden of people's hopes and fears!"
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'work benefits ill-health'
'work benefits ill-health' this sounds very much like a phrase used by another group of people from history,
'arbeit macht frei' both will see you into a premature grave if you believe them. I had a very stressful job prior to retirement due to ill health. I would have to go straight to bed on arriving home after work , it was that bad. I am quite sure had I not given up work when I did that I would not be here today.
With regard to the THT if they do not become more proactive in what is going on they will soon cease to exist, they should have been onto the legality of this right from their initial involvement.
I am amazed at how this site has really come on in such a short time. The amount of information available is unbelievable, and all this from somebody with limited resources. You can give youself a big pat on the back from me John, well done.
On a different note I too have problems posting comments on the Blog if I use a P.C. loaded with Windows XP, it never takes the Captcha entry. It works fine with Windows Vista.
perhaps the THT felt if they
perhaps the THT felt if they buried their heads in the sand that it would blow over and their lack of support to people in the community would go unnoticed with regards the DLA Review. The fact is many have noticed and are understandably angry and upset that they have, to date anyway, done nothing to lobby the Govt regarding this. perhaps clearer transparency of what the THT is doing on behalf of the comminuity is needed and that our views are represented to the various bodies that are involved with the Review.
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