Marcie M

Today I've been to a DWP consultation on proposed changes to the work capability descriptors. I went to represent the people I work with, but in my personal capacity (which means they'll reimburse my travel!). There weren't many of us there - participants were outnumbered by DWP staff - and it made me think about how few people would have the knowledge, confidence, time or ability to participate in things like this. I feel like I'm in a privileged position to have the social capital to feel secure in my right to be heard and to be in the room, but also to have the direct lived experience to speak for others who might not. In some ways, I feel that I have a responsibility to engage in things like Changing Realities and consultations like this one in exchange for my benefits. The state is funding my life for a few years and in return I'm fighting to improve the lives of others who either can't access the same support or who have no real prospect of escaping it.

It's also a stark reminder that we are disabled by our circumstances. There's nothing more effective at reminding me that I'm neurodivergent and chronically ill than travelling to a large unfamiliar city to sit in a noisy room with a lot of strangers. The flipside is that so much of my life is now comfortable for me that I don't notice my struggles as often, which can only be a good thing. I wish that could be true for everyone.