Anyone reading this who knows me will have in some way been subjected to my gripes recently on the mess the Federal Government are trying to make of - among other things - the healthcare system, the welfare system, Medicare, and goodness knows what else.
For anyone visiting my blog from foreign shores - until now we have had what I consider a pretty decent system. We also - thanks to the last Labor Government in general and wonderful individuals like my local MP Jenny Macklin in particular - have had the National Disability Insurance Scheme to look forward to. I say had, because the likes of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Treasurer Joe Hockey and Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews seem intent on destroying these vital services and taking away from those who can least afford it. They wish to introduce co-payments for seeing one's GP, for each prescription we fill.
They also want to subject younger recipients of the Disability Support Pension to Independent (read: with Centrelink's best interests at heart) Medical Reviews as it seems we should all be either working or studying - incidentally, they also want to raise university fees, so how we're supposed to afford that study I'm not sure. Oh - and let us not forget the "incentives" we apparently need in order to work. I've spent the last six years wishing with my entire being that I could work a proper job, and I've no doubt that the vast majority of others on the DSP as well as those on Youth Allowance and Newstart are exactly the same. It's true that I have 'Bubbles' - but that is a long way from really working. Even in a good week, I'm lucky to do more than three or four hours, and can go two or three weeks being unable to even wrap a bar of soap or sew a few stitches. I can't leave the house independently, even on a good day I'm in severe pain 24/7 and my body rarely lets me operate for more than 10-15 minutes without taking a rest break.
WHAT IS WRONG with our leaders that they think its a choice to live this way?
.............................................................................................................
The upshot of all this was me getting extremely pissed off the other night, and writing a letter to The Age, one of the main newspapers here in Melbourne.
Indescribable insult
For those of us with serious illness and disability that get in the way of (further) study and work, please don't assume we'd rather have a ''free ride'' on Centrelink. When will the Kevin Andrews of this world realise that it's not an ''incentive to work'' we need, it is steps to make workplaces accessible and help for employers to support the needs of disabled workers.
I sustained a minor knee injury at age 14 that led to my developing the crippling neurological disease complex regional pain syndrome. From the age of four, I had dreamt of becoming a veterinarian. I fought increasingly severe pain through high school and five years of university until I reached my goal. Barely one year later saw me almost wheelchair bound, and another fighting for my life. I am now 29 and although I've been in receipt of the DSP for six years (meaning I may be one of many subjected to the ''independent medical reviews''), I have the shame and frustration of having to move back in with my parents and be reliant on them for transport, help around the house and much of my medical costs.
It is a massive, indescribable insult for our leaders to sit on their high horses and suggest that I and countless others opt for this lifestyle as a matter of choice. Mr Andrews, you are more than welcome to my $842.80 a fortnight. Provided you are willing to take my disability and 24/7 pain, too.
Laura Black, Eltham
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-letters/pain-of-dying-is-loss-of-control-of-ones-destiny-20140512-385wr.html#ixzz31mKEWAka
.............................................................................................................
I've had an amazing response from friends - but was even more amazed today to receive a letter from Vicki Ward, our local Labor Candidate. Incredible to know that my words have been seen and heard by some of those who really matter.
For anyone visiting my blog from foreign shores - until now we have had what I consider a pretty decent system. We also - thanks to the last Labor Government in general and wonderful individuals like my local MP Jenny Macklin in particular - have had the National Disability Insurance Scheme to look forward to. I say had, because the likes of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Treasurer Joe Hockey and Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews seem intent on destroying these vital services and taking away from those who can least afford it. They wish to introduce co-payments for seeing one's GP, for each prescription we fill.
They also want to subject younger recipients of the Disability Support Pension to Independent (read: with Centrelink's best interests at heart) Medical Reviews as it seems we should all be either working or studying - incidentally, they also want to raise university fees, so how we're supposed to afford that study I'm not sure. Oh - and let us not forget the "incentives" we apparently need in order to work. I've spent the last six years wishing with my entire being that I could work a proper job, and I've no doubt that the vast majority of others on the DSP as well as those on Youth Allowance and Newstart are exactly the same. It's true that I have 'Bubbles' - but that is a long way from really working. Even in a good week, I'm lucky to do more than three or four hours, and can go two or three weeks being unable to even wrap a bar of soap or sew a few stitches. I can't leave the house independently, even on a good day I'm in severe pain 24/7 and my body rarely lets me operate for more than 10-15 minutes without taking a rest break.
WHAT IS WRONG with our leaders that they think its a choice to live this way?
.............................................................................................................
The upshot of all this was me getting extremely pissed off the other night, and writing a letter to The Age, one of the main newspapers here in Melbourne.
Indescribable insult
For those of us with serious illness and disability that get in the way of (further) study and work, please don't assume we'd rather have a ''free ride'' on Centrelink. When will the Kevin Andrews of this world realise that it's not an ''incentive to work'' we need, it is steps to make workplaces accessible and help for employers to support the needs of disabled workers.
I sustained a minor knee injury at age 14 that led to my developing the crippling neurological disease complex regional pain syndrome. From the age of four, I had dreamt of becoming a veterinarian. I fought increasingly severe pain through high school and five years of university until I reached my goal. Barely one year later saw me almost wheelchair bound, and another fighting for my life. I am now 29 and although I've been in receipt of the DSP for six years (meaning I may be one of many subjected to the ''independent medical reviews''), I have the shame and frustration of having to move back in with my parents and be reliant on them for transport, help around the house and much of my medical costs.
It is a massive, indescribable insult for our leaders to sit on their high horses and suggest that I and countless others opt for this lifestyle as a matter of choice. Mr Andrews, you are more than welcome to my $842.80 a fortnight. Provided you are willing to take my disability and 24/7 pain, too.
Laura Black, Eltham
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-letters/pain-of-dying-is-loss-of-control-of-ones-destiny-20140512-385wr.html#ixzz31mKEWAka
.............................................................................................................
I've had an amazing response from friends - but was even more amazed today to receive a letter from Vicki Ward, our local Labor Candidate. Incredible to know that my words have been seen and heard by some of those who really matter.