Tag Archives: disability

Paralympians express fears over disability living allowance plans

September 3, 2012   Carers, disability, ukcuts

Athletes say that coalition proposals to replace benefit could threaten their independence and undermine key Games legacy

 

Lady Tanni Grey-Thompson warned in May about DLA cuts, and other Paralympians have now spoken out.

A group of British Paralympians have expressed their fears over government plans to cut disability living allowance (DLA), warning that the benefit is vital to enable them to live independently.

Under coalition welfare reforms, hundreds of thousands of disabled people will lose the allowance when the government replaces DLA with more restrictive personal independence payments (PIP) in 2013.

The Paralympians fear that the potential loss of the benefit, worth between £20 and £131.50 a week, which helps with the extra costs of transport, equipment, care and other specialist needs that disabled people have, could undermine the key legacy issue of the Games – to open up access to sport for disabled people.

The government plans to replace the allowance, which goes to about 3.2 million people at an annual cost of £12.6bn, with personal independence payments (PIP) from 2013. It estimates that up to 500,000 people will lose entitlement to DLA over the next four years as eligibility criteria are tightened and claims reassessed.

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When the loving care stops

September 3, 2012   Carers, Diabetes, disability

As some disabled youngsters live their dreams at the Paralympics, others face spending their days in homes for the elderly

 

A happy outcome: Jamie Gill with his parents Anna and Howard

5:04PM BST 02 Sep 2012

In many respects, Jamie Gill is just like any other young adult. He has a “wicked sense of humour, and a particular fondness for blondes, wrestling and chocolate”, according to his mother, Anna. Jamie, 21, also has mitochondrial disease, a progressive genetic disorder that affects every system and organ in his body, in particular his muscles and brain. As a result, he is confined to a wheelchair and has problems communicating, although he can feed himself if someone cuts up the food. He also has diabetes, epilepsy and osteoporosis.

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East Coast Truckers visit Great Yarmouth

August 27, 2012   Carers, disability, Norfolk

The East Coast Truckers Children’s Convoy rolling along Marine Parade in Great Yarmouth. 

The East Coast Truckers Children's Convoy rolling along Marine Parade in Great Yarmouth.
Photo gallery: East Coast Truckers visit Great Yarmouth

Sam Russell Monday, August 27, 2012
12:43 PM

Huge crowds lined Marine Parade as Great Yarmouth welcomed the East Coast Truckers’ convoy this evening.

The East Coast Truckers Children’s Convoy as it rolled along Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth.The East Coast Truckers Children’s Convoy as it rolled along Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth.

The annual Children’s Convoy arrived at the resort at around 6pm, on its return leg from Pleasurewood Hills to Norwich.

A cacophony of horns signalled the arrival of the 84 lorry cabs, which had ferried children with special needs on an exciting day out to the theme park.

And spectators said the truckers should be praised for their good work.

Richard Wass, a security guard from Yarmouth, turned out to the event with his grandchildren Jasmine, six and Jack, nine.
The East Coast Truckers convoy is greeted by huge crowds at Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth.The East Coast Truckers convoy is greeted by huge crowds at Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth.

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