Politics – Dystonia and Me

Archive, march 2024

The UK Government’s Violation of Disability Rights: What You Need to Know

Posted on March 14, 2024 by dystoniaandme

Disability inclusion as a human right should be universally upheld. Too often it is not. In 2017, the UN found the UK government guilty of ‘systematic and grave’ violations against the disabled community under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The UK then government failed to attend a crucial hearing in August 2023, proividing no reason for their abscene. Disabled individuals and organizations who attended this hearing provided evidence to the UN committee of further negtive long term impacts to disbled citzens due to governmental policies and funding cuts/services.

March 18th, 2024 the UK government is expected to appear before the UN committee and demonstate the actions it has taken since 2017 to rectify these human rights violations. At the heart of these violations are the breach of three key articles: Article 19 (independent living), Article 27 (Work & Employment), and Article 28 (Adequate Standard of Living & Social Protection). t is imperative for there to be global prescence to witness this committee, so as to increase awareness on the current lack of action taken to address the violation of disabled peoples human rights in the UK and to advocate for this ongoing crisis. You will be able to watch this session virtually using the below link.

Where can I watch? https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1s/k1svtljvtr

What time? 2pm-3:30pm UK time

Archive, December 2020

Disability Representation

Posted on December 1, 2020 by dystoniaandme

Representative. That word means so many things these days. We are always on the look out for something or someone that represent us in someway that we identify with. It’s been a long time since I stopped feeling that word was applicable to me anymore simply because as much as the world has made so much progress accepting disabled people there’s some pretty ridiculous hold ups too.

In politics there’s lots of loud, worringly not always up to date privalged folk making decisions that impact the likes of you and me. I always dread when they discuss the NHS or disability benefits and wonder how much time they’ve spent speaking and really listening to its core users. I’ve written many times and often been disgusted by the response back which has so inadequate they’ve not even referred to my letter remotely accurately.

In fashion I struggle to find clothes that don’t physically injure me when putting them on. I’d love to see more disabled friendly clothes hitting the stores at reasonable prices. For those of you thinking just avoid the clothes that cause injury I do for the most part, but I haven’t found a bra yet that I can take on and off without dislocating.

Councils; I am honestly curious when you design pavements, who decides on drop curb placements? As a wheelchair user, with brain fog more days than not, I have to try to remember the best wheelchair friendly routes. These often involve laughable detours. I’ve been debating starting a ‘The disappearing Dropcurb album’.

Film/TV. All I’m going to say on the subject is start hiring the talented disabled actors that are out there for roles, rather than able bodied household names. You have no excuse, make the adaptations needed to facilitate.

Finally I don’t expect to see representation of myself everywhere, that’s not exactly what I’m getting at. After all one of the beautiful things about human life is our differences, our uniques, our quirks. However that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t address the issues I’ve raised above and as we’re heading into 2021 these really should be non issues by now.

July 2019, September

New Prime Minister New Fears

Posted on July 29, 2019February 24, 2022 by dystoniaandme

With every general election, and with every leadership contest, we get new a new prime minister. A new figure, each with their own agenda and view. When it comes to politics, my number one concern has always been for the potential impact that the candidate and party will have on the NHS. Many laughed when America elected Trump to the presidency and in my eyes I worry that the conservative party may have just followed suit.

During President Trump’s recent visit to the UK he stated that everything was on the table for a deal – including our NHS! Whilst Theresa May later retracted his statement, it is clear where Trumps eyes are focused for trade and both he and Boris Johnson made it publicly known that they are on good terms. Is Boris as brazen as to go as far as ignoring May’s stance and instead pursuing a US/UK trade deal which involves the NHS to a degree? Who knows but I for one wouldn’t be surprised.

So why such concern? As with any service, the NHS has its issues which is to be expected when it is incredibly underfunded and overstretched, however the NHS is a complete blessing. Without our NHS I could not afford my treatment: regular injections and medications allow me to eat, drink, swallow, see and communicate with others verbally. It is literally life changing. For many, such as myself, the possibility that the NHS could be impacted is a terrifying prospect.