We need to carry on, not give up campaigning. Never give up to retain our welfare rights

I am way behind with everything; do you know that feeling?

I do only too well.

Of course, its partly my illnesses numbering 32 -

6 are life-threatening, but also a cause for self and her compassion through insight meditations, and meditations to develop more self compassion (I am going to do several future posts on the latter on this forum, because it is clear to me many suffer anxiety depression, mostly, but also more severe problems. I will then await the response, and if it helps people I will continue with them).

For me, the worst diagnoses to cope with, and apply insights to are depression/despair, anxiety/ unrealistic fears, and Complex PTSD/ intrusive memories from unresolved traumatic events, as well as my 8 MSK conditions.

However, whatever mood I am in, I am always lucid that suffering is an opportunity for self-compassion, in tandem with developing also compassion for others.

That is why I repeat what the Dalai Lama says, frequently:

''Never give. up. Do not give up… [please see my previous posts, or add your own wisdoms.

We all have at least some compassionate wisdoms.

I am still grieving for a very dear spiritual friend Nigel Normanton, who was difficult, charming, naive in some ways, brilliant at kindness mostly, and far more than most people.

We argued quite often, but unlike other friends, we always made up. He was a very clever man, who always sought to help as many people as he could, and sometimes neglected himself, so I spotted this small unwholesome trend and used to say things like:

Nigel you'll never get enlightened if you run away from your self even a small bit. The art of living is partly about always drilling down into our mines of problems, and dissolving them a bit more each day, and night. Because, if we do not they will return to us by the boomerang effect, and thus our capacity to help others compassionately, will be hindered.'

I must confess I am SHOCKED at life, rather like a teenager even now (am 60 years old)-

at the stupid, self harming things we all do, against our own best interests, as we are attached to foolish things

• the horrible state of the world where suffering in politics, in every sense, every cause of massive suffering
• a sense of deep indignation: how can the govt be so corrupt, so indifferent to our cause, our needs, as disabled people and mental health people, because research over decades shows lucidly, that we are disadvantaged in housing, welfare, and social support, have extra costs of living, face abuse even by healthcare practitioners, and psychiatrists, the very people who are meant to help us, and who 'we employ' as Tony Benn always used to say:
• We employ the govt as voters, and implied they should be more grateful, not talk to us, and respond to our needs. He was a great man, and extremely kind, a true socialist; I have met him.

I feel low, also because I received an email from a fellow disabled person Tim who told me about another matter: my council housing, ' with the decimation of legal aid, and the scarcity of pro bono lawyers' you are unlikely to win. (Well of course, that kind of talk urges me to redouble my efforts to look after myself, friends, even strangers, and take the govt to court).

BUT it has been a setback, you know the 'cynicisms of disappointments' as Tibetan Buddhists say.

We all suffer and deeply, and the point of my legal action is not to give up, and look back one day with bitter depression, I did not really give it my all, and missed a great opportunity for my and others welfare and happiness.

Public health lawyers sent me an email saying they are continuing to monitor progress of the Welfare Reform Act, and cannot take up many complaints cases against it, and advised me to turn to other lawyers. Well I've got legal aid, but the solicitors are not face to face are in other towns, and being online really dios not work for me, so I need your advice folks:

- do you know of any other pro bono lawyers who could take up my/our case against the benefit cuts. Let me know if you do, or have search on my behalf, and get back to me c/o this forum? Many thanks. And if such lawyers are disabled people all the better. Let me know within 2 weeks please. Then I will start my legal action, i.e. by Tuesday 17th June 2025.

We CAN do a group legal or class action, so if you think you would like to join me, just join me, and get in touch c/0 SCOP. I have researched any potential consequences, but there are none, there was no negative consequences for our heroine Ellen Clifford.

- has legal aid in fact, been decimated, since Kenneth Clark's reform of it? Any figures are welcome, and what year did he enact civil legal aid reforms?

Otherwise I will have to go to a lawyer that I do not know at all, who may not be disability, and mental health friendly, and the best case to answer thus may not challenge the govt's ignorance, prejudice, stupidity, and incompetence. Only 29% of voters voted for Starmer New Labour Party (New Tory) in reality, so its not a democracy proper, it is an ''elected dictatorship'' as Lord Hailsham said many decades ago. It is up to us to campaign to make democracy mean something, whether its welfare reform or not.

Despite how I feel, which has many causes his despair, here is some cause for optimism:

Age UK has made Starmer and Reeves back down at least partly, over the winter fuel payments, and many elderly are f course disabled, and worthy of support. The population is aging rapidly, so our votes as disabled and pensioners do count, as the latter did not vote for him in local elections.

We need to work together more closely thus:

• find more common causes and campaigns
• organise another mass lobby of Parliament
• perhaps draft common template letter to send to MPs, to continue to get media coverage to in tandem with this
• etc.? your thoughts are welcome…

I think Grey Power is unstoppable, and do not have a colour for disabled people, any ideas? Blue comes to mind, because of the Blue Badge scheme, but blue is the way I'm feeling. What colour could the disabled peoples' movement choose to represent it along with Grey Power? People of alternative sexuality have pink, which I find energising.

Lets create our rainbow movement, as Mandela did in a Rainbow Coalition to liberate South Africa.

We are unstoppable in fact, if we get our individual egos out of the way, replace it with common causes and compassions, we make up a significant proportion of the electorate, which is growing, in fact.

Writing this, has brought me inklings of joy and hope; I have you lot to live for,

and Starmer and his ministers have ignored all my letters re disability, and ageing,

their undemocratic response will be publicised - media publicists please contact me c/o SCOPE.

Do not let the govt or any other group or individual put you down, and guess what you do not have to b aggressive or hateful there are far better ways to stand up and be counted, win your case, and retain your happiness.