In the video above you hear the story of a couple and their fight of being caught up in a system where they could not get any benefits because the woman's learning disabilities were undiagnosed. Unable to get either JSA or disability benefits, they lived in one room, and walked 12 miles once a week to get free food from a food bank.
“The job centre decided Helen couldn’t sign on as she was incapable of employment, as she has no literacy and numeracy skills. However the incapacity people wouldn’t recognise her disabilities until she has been properly diagnosed, which led to month after month of seeing specialists, we’re in a catch 22 situation.It has been reported today that the couple in the video above have been found dead in an apparent suicide pact. How many more people will die from these cuts before the government acts?
“We’re living hand to mouth.”
They seem like a lovely couple. This is gut-wrenchingly sad.
ReplyDeleteHaving watched that video, I'm not wholly convinced that this was a "suicide pact". She does not say a word except occasionally just to agree with him, and he talks of her lacking "brain functions", hence her inability to read and write or have any kind of job. I sympathise with the point about them being failed by the benefits system, but I'm not convinced that she was capable of entering a suicide pact (or any other kind of agreement) with valid consent. This could well have been a murder-suicide.
ReplyDeleteI thought the diagnosis was irrelevant and benefits were based on what you can and can't so...
ReplyDelete@Indigo Jo:
ReplyDeleteIt's impossible to form an opinion about her competency in such a short video. Especially when you take into account the fact that so many people are shy and wouldn't talk if a camera was pointed at them and would allow a partner to speak for them.
I'm not saying that it's not murder/suicide; but I think that if people who knew them believe it's a suicide pact then they're in a better position than us to make a presumption.
I agree with Lisa, we shouldn't judge from a simple video, that risks reducing us to ATOSs level. I'm not sure that 'lacking brain function' should be taken literally, I think he was just trying to find a way to describe some sort of intellectual incapacity.
ReplyDeleteHowever we look at it, it's just so desperately sad, and it scares me that it may be the first of many more, added on top of what we already face with the post-WCA suicides.
@Sofie
ReplyDeleteIn theory, yes. However a lack of formal diagnosis, something that is perfectly usual with a lot of conditions, is another thing that Atos and the DWP just "don't like" and use to deny claims if they happen to feel like it. One that a lot of people fall foul of is the "if you're not currently receiving treatment you can't be ill" rule. It's shite, but they claim to believe it as it suits their purpose.
Jan - that's the issue I have. I have no diagnosis, therefore, it can't be as serious as I make it out to be.
ReplyDeleteWell that's a fresh one to send along to Tanni Grey-Thompson. =8-(
ReplyDeleteThe Tories hands are dripping with the blood of innocents and their crimes are stacked to heaven.
ReplyDelete