Categories: uncategorized
Date: 13 September 2012 13:33:22
I've had an email today which has moved me greatly. It was from a mum I know updating the readers with what was going on in her daughters life. It wasn't the usual story of joy rather it was a story of illness which struck part way through a degree course and has left the young woman in question dependent upon a wheelchair and crutches. It was the story of somebody who is having to fight a disability living allowance judgement which is inaccurate - a story which is becoming all too familiar amongst those I know who are genuinely unable to work due to debilitating illnesses such as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).
This mum who loves her daughter deeply spoke in terms of anger and pride within this email. Her daughter isn't just fighting her own claim she has sought to do something constructive to help others. For this young woman it has taken the form of starting a petition. The aim of the petition is to get the Department of Health to change the way they do things so that their key advisers on physical illnesses such as ME are disease pathology experts such as those working in the areas of neurology and immunology rather than, as is often the case at the moment psychiatrists and psychologists. She cites the vast range of academic literature which now exists showing that the illness is physical rather than psychological.
I invite you to sign the petition that the young woman in question has launched. The email also signpost another petition which asks the government to review their benefit cuts which are, as it says, disproportionately falling on disabled people and their families and carers which you may wish to consider signing.