Equal rights are NOT special rights
Demonstration outside 2-7 Town Hall Parade in Brixton
Friday 29 July - 1-2pm
Disabled colleagues in HRE have been treated appallingly by senior management and HR during the recent housing restructure. They have been denied appropriate opportunities over the years for development and training and were then expected to compete in interviews with their peers in a process in which they were clearly disadvantaged as a result of their being Disabled. The result unsurprisingly is that these colleagues are now at risk of redundancy. We believe that management and HR have used this restructure to deliberately remove these colleagues from their posts. We believe the current budget reductions and cuts are being used as a smoke screen to allow managers to get rid of staff they see as being difficult, underperforming or problematic to manage. We will not stand for such blatant disability discrimination.
UNISON Stewards in HRE and Disabled and non Disabled UNISON members and others have called a Demonstration to expose this unfair and discriminatory treatment of our members.
We urge you to attend this demonstration on Friday to stand in solidarity with your colleagues so we can send a strong and collective message to Lambeth Housing management and HR that we will not accept such appalling treatment of some of our most vulnerable colleagues!
Stand against disability discrimination – don’t let this happen!
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Monday, 11 July 2011
What Price Dignity?
ILF can be applied for if you have a local authority care package of at least £320 per week. Unfortunately, the scheme closed its books to new claimants earlier this year; and, those currently in receipt of this resource have only until 2015 when funding stops - I've not heard of a replacement scheme coming into operation.
The borough in which I live has a set rate for overnight care, around £65 per night. Therefore, the annual bill for this portion of a care package would amount to around £23,660, plus additional statutory costs.
To have turned down ILF one must assume that Elaine McDonald qualified for the resource. Given that ILF pays up to a maximum of £475 per week (this is for Group 2, people who've applied after April 1993) this would not have fully covered the costs of Ms McDonald's night care needs - add-ons such as Income Tax, NI and other costs would increase the amount.
This case interests me on a couple of levels. First of all there is the inhumane aspect of expecting people to lie in their own bladder or bowel waste for periods of time as high as 12 hours.
Second, I too have a neurogenic bladder, as a result of a head injury, that forces me out of bed sometimes five or six times a night; luckily I have a commode within a short lurch of my bed, though I've also fallen over and at times failed to reach the commode and peed myself. If I fall or pee myself I phone one or other of my PA/carers to come and help - but this means I have to renegotiate their hours for the rest of the week, or week after, in order that they don't exceed their contracted hours.
The commode was given to me instead of night cover I'd requested.
My BB (bladder and bowel) nurse is trying out a range of aids to assist me. My main problem is leakage and wetting myself because I'm not fleet enough of foot to get to the loo on time. So far self-catheterising has failed; also, a sheath with a bag attachment for night time use didn't work (I did as suggested, that is put the sheath under my pillows when I'd used it - two problems with that a.) my pillows stank of pee within a couple of days, and b.) the sheath fell down the back of the bed and stayed there until my PA/carer arrived the next morning.
My BB nurse, and earlier my Urologist, suggested a suprapubic catheter. This is a device surgically fitted which allows the self draining of the bladder. Whenever I can I keep away from intrusive surgery. My life has been one full of doctors prodding, feeling, injecting things and cutting into me; enough is enough, I've reached a stage in life that says 'leave my body alone!'
What the future holds for Elaine McDonald is uncertain, as it is for me. It is a safe bet though, that somewhere along the line the price we'll pay is first the surrender of our dignity followed by illnesses and disease brought about by urinary or faecal contamination.
Well, at least we now have the answer to 'What price dignity'...at the most £22,000, but I suspect there are people out their who have had theirs taken away for a lot less.
The borough in which I live has a set rate for overnight care, around £65 per night. Therefore, the annual bill for this portion of a care package would amount to around £23,660, plus additional statutory costs.
To have turned down ILF one must assume that Elaine McDonald qualified for the resource. Given that ILF pays up to a maximum of £475 per week (this is for Group 2, people who've applied after April 1993) this would not have fully covered the costs of Ms McDonald's night care needs - add-ons such as Income Tax, NI and other costs would increase the amount.
This case interests me on a couple of levels. First of all there is the inhumane aspect of expecting people to lie in their own bladder or bowel waste for periods of time as high as 12 hours.
Second, I too have a neurogenic bladder, as a result of a head injury, that forces me out of bed sometimes five or six times a night; luckily I have a commode within a short lurch of my bed, though I've also fallen over and at times failed to reach the commode and peed myself. If I fall or pee myself I phone one or other of my PA/carers to come and help - but this means I have to renegotiate their hours for the rest of the week, or week after, in order that they don't exceed their contracted hours.
The commode was given to me instead of night cover I'd requested.
My BB (bladder and bowel) nurse is trying out a range of aids to assist me. My main problem is leakage and wetting myself because I'm not fleet enough of foot to get to the loo on time. So far self-catheterising has failed; also, a sheath with a bag attachment for night time use didn't work (I did as suggested, that is put the sheath under my pillows when I'd used it - two problems with that a.) my pillows stank of pee within a couple of days, and b.) the sheath fell down the back of the bed and stayed there until my PA/carer arrived the next morning.
My BB nurse, and earlier my Urologist, suggested a suprapubic catheter. This is a device surgically fitted which allows the self draining of the bladder. Whenever I can I keep away from intrusive surgery. My life has been one full of doctors prodding, feeling, injecting things and cutting into me; enough is enough, I've reached a stage in life that says 'leave my body alone!'
What the future holds for Elaine McDonald is uncertain, as it is for me. It is a safe bet though, that somewhere along the line the price we'll pay is first the surrender of our dignity followed by illnesses and disease brought about by urinary or faecal contamination.
Well, at least we now have the answer to 'What price dignity'...at the most £22,000, but I suspect there are people out their who have had theirs taken away for a lot less.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Lambeth SOS Meeting
Thursday 7th July – 6:30pm at the Vida Walsh Centre on Saltoun Road, just south of Windrush Square. Everyone is very welcome!
The agenda is below. If you have anything to add please join our email discussion list and let us know.
• Brief Report from J30 events, Streatham festival and others, specifically is there anything we can improve on for next time and is there anything that has come from it in terms of action going forward.
• Prep for cross union planning meeting on the 14 July.
• Need 3 people (or less if doubling up) to right 150-200 words for the next newsletter. Suggested topics are: what next after J30, health group update, welfare group update.
• Action to support unison with axed call centre staff whose jobs are getting cut and outsourced to Southampton. Suggestions so far include
morning stalls at office and cold calling the centre repeatedly with anti cuts advice.
• Start planning a meeting in Vassal ward - arrange a date with Kingsley?
• Lambeth county show and the urban green fair - arrange volunteers.
• What to do with the "i love my library because" posters
• AOB
The agenda is below. If you have anything to add please join our email discussion list and let us know.
• Brief Report from J30 events, Streatham festival and others, specifically is there anything we can improve on for next time and is there anything that has come from it in terms of action going forward.
• Prep for cross union planning meeting on the 14 July.
• Need 3 people (or less if doubling up) to right 150-200 words for the next newsletter. Suggested topics are: what next after J30, health group update, welfare group update.
• Action to support unison with axed call centre staff whose jobs are getting cut and outsourced to Southampton. Suggestions so far include
morning stalls at office and cold calling the centre repeatedly with anti cuts advice.
• Start planning a meeting in Vassal ward - arrange a date with Kingsley?
• Lambeth county show and the urban green fair - arrange volunteers.
• What to do with the "i love my library because" posters
• AOB
Direct Payments
I've been in receipt of direct payments for around five-years. At times I will have several thousand pounds in the DP account. Living on a low waged income money is tight; and, so on occasions I've been tempted to dip into the care account for some short-term financial relief. Thankfully, these instances have never gone beyond the temptation stage - nor, I'm certain will I succumb.
What keeps me vigilant is the fact that my LA can at any time ask to see my care account 'books'; and I must be available to present them with an up-to-date reckoning of all receipts and expenditure - maybe not an up-to-the-day record as I only submit returns on a quarterly basis.
My advice on DP's is to keep on top of the paperwork. If you're unable to handle the payroll end of business, engage a company that delivers this kind of service; though be careful here as some offer a more comprehensive service than others do - after all there is no point in paying for a service that expects you to complete, for instance your employees tax returns.
Most local authorities give advice on DPs either directly or through third-party voluntary sector set-ups. I'd advise any DP users, if they begin to get into difficulties, to look for help sooner rather than later. Issues financial have a horrible habit of compounding; and, what starts in month one as a few pounds gone adrift may end up in month six as a substantial amount of money.
What keeps me vigilant is the fact that my LA can at any time ask to see my care account 'books'; and I must be available to present them with an up-to-date reckoning of all receipts and expenditure - maybe not an up-to-the-day record as I only submit returns on a quarterly basis.
My advice on DP's is to keep on top of the paperwork. If you're unable to handle the payroll end of business, engage a company that delivers this kind of service; though be careful here as some offer a more comprehensive service than others do - after all there is no point in paying for a service that expects you to complete, for instance your employees tax returns.
Most local authorities give advice on DPs either directly or through third-party voluntary sector set-ups. I'd advise any DP users, if they begin to get into difficulties, to look for help sooner rather than later. Issues financial have a horrible habit of compounding; and, what starts in month one as a few pounds gone adrift may end up in month six as a substantial amount of money.
Lambeth Pan-Disability Forum AGM
Dear Colleagues
The Lambeth Pan-Disability Forum (LPDF) is holding its AGM on Thursday 14th July. This event will take place at the Lambeth Acord Building, 336 Brixton Road, SW9 7AA from 1pm - 4pm - lunch will be provided from 1pm.
The AGM is open to all members of the Forum; and, you will be receiving a letter through the post with your invitation. So, I look forward to seeing you all on the day.
In the struggle
Seán McGovern
Chair of the Lambeth Pan-Disability Forum
The Lambeth Pan-Disability Forum (LPDF) is holding its AGM on Thursday 14th July. This event will take place at the Lambeth Acord Building, 336 Brixton Road, SW9 7AA from 1pm - 4pm - lunch will be provided from 1pm.
The AGM is open to all members of the Forum; and, you will be receiving a letter through the post with your invitation. So, I look forward to seeing you all on the day.
In the struggle
Seán McGovern
Chair of the Lambeth Pan-Disability Forum
Monday, 4 July 2011
Daily Hate Plumbs Greater Depths of Depravity
Just when we thought the Daily Hate had sunk lower than a Tory's sense of compassion so they show there are even greater depths of depravity yet to plumb. According to the Daily Hate the teachers' strike is to blame for girl being hit and killed by a tree - in reference to the tragic death of a young girl hit by a falling tree branch whilst in the park yesterday.
When I picked up this story from 'urban 75' (U75) it didn't surprise me. For that matter I imagine there's a lot of us out there, disabled people, that look at this kind of headline, and while we're saddened at the context of the story, we're not overly shocked that a newspaper can have the gall and insensitivity to present a piece in biased a way.
Maybe we've become inured to scum like the Daily Hate misrepresenting us as a group. In the past few years they, with a little help from their friends in high places, have done such a hatchet job of demonizing us that the shock value from other stories has become devalued.
About 6 months ago Ian Duncan-Smith blamed IB claimants for the financial deficit we're in. A situation brought about by bankers and the elements within the financial sector losing control; and, governments happy to play along with casino capitalism as long it was aces being turned over and not deuces or treys.
ADS was widely criticised within disabled circles, and as I recall quite a few voices from the political Left joined in the condemnation. However, once again someone high in the echelons of authority managed to walk away from an outrageous slur on a group of, mostly, innocent people, unpunished.
The story of the girl's death led a U75 user to ask "Hopefully this will awaken people to the role the media are playing in pushing an anti-union agenda." And, I say 'Amen' to that sentiment; and, while this awakening is taking place they could also look at the role the media is playing in the demonizing of disabled people.
When I picked up this story from 'urban 75' (U75) it didn't surprise me. For that matter I imagine there's a lot of us out there, disabled people, that look at this kind of headline, and while we're saddened at the context of the story, we're not overly shocked that a newspaper can have the gall and insensitivity to present a piece in biased a way.
Maybe we've become inured to scum like the Daily Hate misrepresenting us as a group. In the past few years they, with a little help from their friends in high places, have done such a hatchet job of demonizing us that the shock value from other stories has become devalued.
About 6 months ago Ian Duncan-Smith blamed IB claimants for the financial deficit we're in. A situation brought about by bankers and the elements within the financial sector losing control; and, governments happy to play along with casino capitalism as long it was aces being turned over and not deuces or treys.
ADS was widely criticised within disabled circles, and as I recall quite a few voices from the political Left joined in the condemnation. However, once again someone high in the echelons of authority managed to walk away from an outrageous slur on a group of, mostly, innocent people, unpunished.
The story of the girl's death led a U75 user to ask "Hopefully this will awaken people to the role the media are playing in pushing an anti-union agenda." And, I say 'Amen' to that sentiment; and, while this awakening is taking place they could also look at the role the media is playing in the demonizing of disabled people.
Friday, 1 July 2011
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