What has the Telegraph got against Disabled People?

JasonRA
JasonRA Online Community Member Posts: 216 Trailblazing
edited April 2024 in Everyday life
Every day, every week for the last year they run articles painting those who are signed off on incapacity benefits as lazy, good for nothing scroungers who buy flat screen TV's, play video games and live the life of riley. 

By the way the Telegraph has a history of this, people made complaints about them.
https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/watchdog-receives-hundreds-of-complaints-over-telegraphs-toxic-benefits-article/

The picture on their article is one of a Woman on a mobility scooter, the comments are crass and vulgar, full of hate. It's par the course though.

I worked non-stop for 16 years before my breakdown and I studied at the same time on and off for 5 years, I paid into the system despite everything and I got a degree through it all. 

If we want to talk about scrounging from the tax payers then why did my taxes pay for people on the state pension who have substantial bank balances? and free bus passes when they can afford to pay for it themselves? If we want to play that game then lets play it. 

What if this "hard working" taxpayer develops a long term illness when their only source of income is Universal Credit and PIP? Funny how nobody asks that question, nobody is bullet proof from a life changing illness or injury, that's why there needs to be a safety net.

I try to ignore it but when I type in Disabled News UK into Google the same thing comes up. I'm getting tired of it to be honest, tired not in an anxious sense but more animosity and anger at this point. These hatemongers need to be called out and they have to explain themselves as to why they think it's fine to rabble rouse people against those who are legitimately ill.

If you leave a severe Mental Illness untreated the person with that mental illness could do irreparable damage to themselves and others around them, yet Sunak and Stride and their Telegraph glove puppets would have you believe there's a magic pill to all the ills of life. There's a reason why my counsellor won't do home visits, because of their safety.


Comments

  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Online Community Member Posts: 14,991 Championing
    edited April 2024
    I'm aware it's hard to judge, because it's not just about monetary value - how can you truly value the services of say a nurse or a soldier, however...

    I remember reading that the vast majority of people actually take more from the state (in terms of pound value) than they contribute

    This includes almost all working class people, and quite a lot of the middle class as well

    Only a very small number actually make a net contribution

    Based on that, I'd suggest that the majority of the haters are in fact "scroungers" themselves!
  • hyancinth
    hyancinth Online Community Member Posts: 78 Empowering
    Because media does the dirty work for?(fill it in) The general opinion at any bus stop is that anyone on benefits is a lazy, liar, scrounger. It was a divide and conquer campaign started a long time ago. Unfortunately there has been an element that has used and abused it (and been allowed to do so) Ruining it for the rest of us.
    When it comes to physical health absolutely anyone with any problem should be fully compensated for their loss of potential income. Not sure why the average tabloid reader cant see that. Mentally it could be  based on level of debility, limitations in the persons best interest not gvts, when its serious or dangerous mh would these tabloid readers want to employ them? er no. As an umbrella condition mh has become overused and taken advantage of. Big time for big bucks. That needs some quiet and intelligent and sympathetic detective work to rectify it. Not a bulldozer method.
    But the general hard working (and they like to remind everyone) or spoiled public have no clue. They assume everyone on benefits is on a grand a week. Blanket. The stupid programs showing benefits claimants on a fortune are all part of this campaign to stir up hate.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,383 Championing
    The sole purpose of any newspaper manufacturer is to sell papers, and to get 'clicks' online.  They'll all write whatever gets them the most views.  It doesn't have to be true.  What amazes me is that in this day and age, so many people still believe what they read in the papers!  :/
  • birdwatcher
    birdwatcher Online Community Member Posts: 127 Empowering
    Just reread Jason's excellent comment
    Good friend of mine was diagnosed with schizophrenia about 15 years ago. Today his medication helps him ,as does support from friends, family and the psych team. But he's said himself it was hell when he was sectioned but if that hadn't happened he'd be dead or in prison now.
    I can't see a use for the telegraph. Apart from using it to line the cat litter tray
  • Meg24
    Meg24 Online Community Member Posts: 390 Trailblazing
    hyancinth said:
    Because media does the dirty work for?(fill it in) The general opinion at any bus stop is that anyone on benefits is a lazy, liar, scrounger. It was a divide and conquer campaign started a long time ago. Unfortunately there has been an element that has used and abused it (and been allowed to do so) Ruining it for the rest of us.
    When it comes to physical health absolutely anyone with any problem should be fully compensated for their loss of potential income. Not sure why the average tabloid reader cant see that. Mentally it could be  based on level of debility, limitations in the persons best interest not gvts, when its serious or dangerous mh would these tabloid readers want to employ them? er no. As an umbrella condition mh has become overused and taken advantage of. Big time for big bucks. That needs some quiet and intelligent and sympathetic detective work to rectify it. Not a bulldozer method.
    But the general hard working (and they like to remind everyone) or spoiled public have no clue. They assume everyone on benefits is on a grand a week. Blanket. The stupid programs showing benefits claimants on a fortune are all part of this campaign to stir up hate.

    You've just repeated Sunak's lie. More people are suffering with MH problems, and more people have felt able to talk about it due to various campaigns. Neurodivergence was historically almost exclusively diagnosed in boys, hence the many adult women now finally are getting the diagnoses they always should have had.

    Have you tried to claim benefits for depression and anxiety? It's damn near impossible without 2nd tier health professional evidence and these professionals are not duped easily.

    Maybe you should examine your own prejudices before making sweeping statements that are harmful to others.
  • rebel11
    rebel11 Online Community Member Posts: 1,687 Pioneering
    edited May 2024
    The Telegraph, The Daily Mail and The Daily Express are all pro the Conservative Party.
    Their proprietaries has always been wealthy owners. 

    They are a bit like 'Trump's brain', 'ASWD'.
  • hyancinth
    hyancinth Online Community Member Posts: 78 Empowering


    Have you tried to claim benefits for depression and anxiety? It's damn near impossible without 2nd tier health professional evidence and these professionals are not duped easily.


    I have and I am. 2 wcas both LCW outcomes and a 3rd anytime. If Id said I was an agorophobe I could have got a better result, not my pathetic 368pm but I didnt tell them big tales.
    All Im saying is people claiming to be such but then go to Spain 4 times a year thats wrong but stopping wcas is not the answer, checking their facebook holidays snaps is.
    No one gives a   about mh anymore, its been used and overplayed by sneaky people. You shouldnt be annoyed with me, its them and a gvt that doesnt do things the right way.
  • Meg24
    Meg24 Online Community Member Posts: 390 Trailblazing
    edited May 2024
    hyancinth said:


    Have you tried to claim benefits for depression and anxiety? It's damn near impossible without 2nd tier health professional evidence and these professionals are not duped easily.


    I have and I am. 2 wcas both LCW outcomes and a 3rd anytime. If Id said I was an agorophobe I could have got a better result, not my pathetic 368pm but I didnt tell them big tales.
    All Im saying is people claiming to be such but then go to Spain 4 times a year thats wrong but stopping wcas is not the answer, checking their facebook holidays snaps is.
    No one gives a   about mh anymore, its been used and overplayed by sneaky people. You shouldnt be annoyed with me, its them and a gvt that doesnt do things the right way.
    But we don't just "say" we have agoraphobia, can you not see how harmful your language is? Severe mental health problems like agoraphobia are real, they're not just picked off a menu to dupe benefits assessors. Whether you mean to or not, you are perpetuating the myth that there are many people lying about their mental health and that hurts us all, you included.
  • hyancinth
    hyancinth Online Community Member Posts: 78 Empowering
    @Meg24 Im giving them ammunition against all of us I get it. 
    Sorry. I was ranting against the few.
    I dont agree with the media etc of course, the campaign against mh , because it affects me massively.


  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    hyancinth said:


    Have you tried to claim benefits for depression and anxiety? It's damn near impossible without 2nd tier health professional evidence and these professionals are not duped easily.


    I have and I am. 2 wcas both LCW outcomes and a 3rd anytime. If Id said I was an agorophobe I could have got a better result, not my pathetic 368pm but I didnt tell them big tales.
    All Im saying is people claiming to be such but then go to Spain 4 times a year thats wrong 
    What has going away on holiday got to do with claiming benefits? Just because a person happens to have some sort of life this doesn't mean they are not entitled to those benefits. 

    I claim ESA and PIP and I went abroad last year and I'm also going again this year. Going abroad where the heat and sun is pretty much guaranteed means I get 2 weeks a year when my pain is more manageable. This doesn't mean I'm not entitled to the benefits I claim. 

    I have physical conditions but I will not spend my life in bed. For PIP and the WCA it's the majority of the days that count. 

    You don't know if people lie when claiming benefits, if they do then yes it's benefit fraud.
  • Meg24
    Meg24 Online Community Member Posts: 390 Trailblazing
    hyancinth said:
    @Meg24 Im giving them ammunition against all of us I get it. 
    Sorry. I was ranting against the few.
    I dont agree with the media etc of course, the campaign against mh , because it affects me massively.


    They are experts at manipulating us to fight amongst ourselves, we can beat them if we stand together and support one another :)
  • hyancinth
    hyancinth Online Community Member Posts: 78 Empowering
    @poppy123456  agoraphobic people and 4 holidays in spain a year are a contradiction. Not you.

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,184 Championing
    edited May 2024
    hyancinth said:
    @poppy123456  agoraphobic people and 4 holidays in spain a year are a contradiction. Not you.

    I understand your point, but it's important to remember that people with agoraphobia can still have a desire to travel and explore new places. Their condition may make it more challenging for them to do so, but it doesn't necessarily mean that they are unable to enjoy holidays.
    It's also important to note that people with agoraphobia may have different triggers and coping mechanisms. Some may feel more comfortable traveling to familiar places, while others may prefer to stay in their comfort zone. It's not fair to make assumptions about someone's abilities or preferences based on their condition.
    Instead of focusing on the perceived contradiction between agoraphobia and holidays in Spain, it's more productive to focus on how to support and accommodate people with agoraphobia in their travels. This can include providing information on accessible transportation, accommodations, and activities, as well as offering resources and support for managing anxiety and stress while traveling.
    Ultimately, it's important to remember that people with agoraphobia are not defined solely by their condition. They are individuals with their own unique experiences, desires, and aspirations. By being understanding and supportive, we can help create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.

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