'People with invisible disabilities shouldn't have to justify their need for PIP'

Big Issue readers respond to our recent articles, calling for the government to do more to help disabled people claiming personal independence payment (PIP). People also responded to our Letter to My Younger Self with Mark Constantine, the co-founder of Lush, and told us about their interactions with our vendors.

Responses to: Disability campaigners criticise proposed PIP cuts

Cutting a disabled persons PIP WILL NOT help them into work. All it will do is cause more stress and anguish to that person. PIP is not an out-of-work benefit. It is there to provide help to a disabled person to gain independence, and to help those who can work to get there.

Sharon Elizabeth Gelsthorpe, Facebook

Please remember we are all one step away from needing help and benefits one day.

Tony Peart, Facebook

It needs to be means tested, just like extra benefits for pensioners. Everyone needs to be treated the same. Nobody wants a disability, neither do any of us want to get old, but we should all have a good quality of life.

Marlon Newton, Facebook

Cutting means people with mental illness or autism could end up in crisis care or hospital, so costing the NHS more. How would it save anything?

Serena Celeste, Facebook

People with invisible disabilities, who already have to navigate arduous applications, would be forced to further justify their need for PIP. It would be harder for people whose extra costs are less easy to quantify. 

Expecting disabled people to have the skills and energy to navigate difficult systems is unjust. The disability benefits system should work with disabled people. Many are really scared about what the future holds, and that’s not how it should be.

Chloe Myshkin, Facebook

Fast friends

I nearly always purchase a BI wherever I go. I was recently in London walking to Sir John Soane’s Museum. “Good morning, Big Issue?” the person smiled. No pressure, it was almost as if he was just saying, “Hello, nice to see you”. I walked on, but something about this person drew me back and I said hello. We began to chat and instantly connected. He sang for me. We hugged and he told me about the book he had written and published about suicide [The Muffin Man, by André Rostant]. There was no sense that this lovely human wanted anything from me, other than to be in that moment. It was a lovely interaction and I’d like him to be a friend! Unfortunately I live in rural Derbyshire, so it’s unlikely.

My day was changed for the better after meeting André, my step a little lighter, and my hope for humanity and the world felt a bit more hopeful. So thank you André for your time on that busy street. I wish you well, a continued creativity, and to keep your joyful spirit.

Lorna 

Read more:

• Disabled people are again missing out on extra cost of living support – it’s cruel and embarrassing
• Why disabled people are worried that the Timms Review could be used as a cover for PIP cuts
• How to navigate DWP disability benefit applications and PIP assessments

Responses to: Mark Constantine, co-founder of Lush

He changed his life and it sounded very difficult. Kudos to him ❤.

gargoylepidge, Instagram

What an amazing guy.

katrinestoreboart, Instagram

I ❤ lush. What a hard way to start…

freyathewanderingprintmaker, Instagram

Get ready

I read your Big Issue article about the difficulty of preparing for an emergency when you’re struggling to afford the weekly shop. It struck a chord with me, particularly the question of how people are supposed to follow the government’s advice when money is already so tight.

I’m Mike, a dad of two and a web developer by trade. In my spare time, I’ve been building QuietlyReady, an app that turns the government’s Prepare guidance into an affordable shopping plan. Your article prompted me to put together something I hope might be useful: a free guide with a three-day emergency food and water shopping list for a family of four, using Tesco’s budget-range prices. The total comes to £68.86, or £5.74 per person per day.

It also shows how supplies can be built up gradually rather than bought all at once. You can find it here.

Please feel free to share it. Thanks for highlighting an issue that deserves more attention.

Mike, QuietlyReady

Much respect

Richie Roncero, who runs Edinburgh homeless and recovery charity Steps to Hope, is off out on a six-month rough-sleeping tour of the UK. His aim is to raise money for accommodation for folk seeking recovery and to get off the streets. Such a selfless effort deserves much respect and as much publicity as it can find. 

Dave Wylie, Edinburgh

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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