Friday, 21 January 2011

...Disabled by DLA consultation

Twice now I have looked at the DLA consultation which ends on 14 February. The first time I read most of the document (took ages, hard to take it all in) and planned to think about it and go back and respond. The second time, I read a bit more and wanted to add my response. But I haven't. I feel unable to respond. I feel frightened by authority at the best of times. Paranoia about cctv, police, post from anywhere "official" etc doesn't help when I am asked to register my details on a consultation form where what I want to say may be seen as criticism rather than comment, questions I want to ask rather than answers to questions I am asked. I am scared of the backlash. What if those who do respond to the consultation are then denied benefits because of the comments made? 
I wanted to urge those making the changes to include the need for mental health specialists to be involved in the application form, assessment, and review process. I wanted to remind/tell them that my mental health, and that of many others, can fluctuate within the day, hour by hour. Sometimes I can do things, other times I can't. I don't want those who are invisibly disabled to society at large to be left unsupported as our needs cannot be easily seen or described. 
I am ashamed of my fear but my fear won't let me respond.

4 comments:

  1. You're not alone. At least I have the cloak of a wider organisation to shroud mine in. It's scary. I'm sorry but i'm not sure we'll have a hope in hell of being listened to. xx

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  2. Thanks, I too doubt the extent of "consultation" but feel useless excluding my voice due to paranoia. x

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  3. Solidarity. That's about all I can say: standing with you, sending whatever strength and courage I can...

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  4. Thanks Phil, the whole thing is just......GAaaaaaah! x

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