I’m reaching out because I am on a mission to change how the DWP assesses individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis and other incurable, chronic illnesses; MS, ME, CF, CP, MND, limb amputation through illness or war etc!

As many of you know, the current assessment process can feel incredibly dehumanising. Rather than receiving support, many of us feel treated with suspicion, forced to answer invasive questions and relive the trauma of our limitations every three years. Now they are saying “we’ve looked at this and changed it to every five years” !!!! Are they trying to tell us these illnesses that have been proven by specialists, scientists and doctors are going to ’get better’? That amputees are suddenly going to grow back limbs?!?!
This cycle of reassessment is unnecessary, heartbreaking, and soul-destroying, never mind a waste of time and money. If they need proof, go to the source: doctors/neurologists/specialists etc. There they will get all the reports/scans/changes in condition.

We need a system built on dignity and support, not one that makes us feel worthless. Lifetime/Ongoing awards for conditions that are documented as “progressive” or “incurable”.

How you can help:

I have launched a petition to demand a total rethink of this system. We already have some fantastic support, including TV’s Josh Widdicombe, but we need a much louder voice to make the government listen.

• Sign and Share the petition here: https://www.change.org/DWP-PIP-rethink-needed

Life with a chronic illness is hard enough without the added weight of an adversarial benefits system. Please help me push for a future where we are treated with the respect we deserve.

Thank you so much for reading and for your support.

Lisa Murray-Lang