Diary of a Benefit Scrounger: ESA Reaches a Tipping Point

Diary of a Benefit Scrounger: ESA Reaches a Tipping Point

Read an analysis of government statistics relating to ESA, Atos and government reform of disability benefits.

Sun Fairy - Maid of Mischief!

 Feel so very very proud! 

Boris Johnson urged to break silence over mass arrest of cyclists | Ekklesia

Boris Johnson urged to break silence over mass arrest of cyclists | Ekklesia: ""The splendid Olympic opening ceremony rightly celebrated British traditions of freedom and democracy," he said today. "But while the opening ceremony applauded the suffragettes, peaceful protesters outside were being dragged from their bikes. While Olympian cyclists prepared for Saturday's road race, hundreds of Londoners were stopped from cycling in their own city.""

First I heard of this - irony laden - although to my mind there is no easy equivalence with one activity negating the other.  For me it highlights the complexity of human existence.  How can the actions be squared?  I suppose it depends on a lot of factors ...


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HAPPY

 

Flying High

 

CounterSpill

CounterSpill:

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Inditement of the honesty and integrity of USA politics and politicians.

All in This Together

Here I am with volunteers who keep Connect Charity Shop Going.

In the middle is 'Pam' Pam opened the shop over 20 years ago and has been its backbone ever since - together the six people in the picture have a total of 360 years experience.  Its a winning forumula.

Visit the shop Connect Shepperton, Donate, shop or browse.

Welcome to the new Blogger - YouTube

Welcome to the new Blogger - YouTube:

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The Great Collision - Umair Haque - Harvard Business Review

The Great Collision - Umair Haque - Harvard Business Review:

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Love the way that this is written with links to 'evidence' on wikipedia - the economist whereever there is data to support the opinions.

Life is breathing in fresh air and breathing out stale - in out - renewing yourself with each breath you take.  Similarly coming across fresh ideas and insights refreshes my old brain and renews my zest for life's challenges.

Maid of Mischief is wonderful -  Woeful Wonder is contemplating the nature of 'fun' and being an indulgent pet owner to pampered kitties and dog - I've bought him a cage fit for a parrot and hope he decides to buy a bird!

Breathe in breathe out fresh new ideas creating a fresh new world ...

Vauxhall City Farm

Vauxhall City Farm:

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What a fabulous sounding place this is!  Well worth a visit.

Diary of a Benefit Scrounger: Excellent News!

Diary of a Benefit Scrounger: Excellent News!:

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Terrific Blog Highly Recommended

Sue and her blog and her Report 'Responsible Reform' (Spartacus) bring the tantalising prospect of a just society - social justice a step forward.
Part of Sue's philosophy is taking one tiny step at a time until the final objective is reached!

Abstract of Report - Extract

Read the full report here:http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/files/response_to_proposed_dla_reforms.pdf An easy-read version has been made available by United Response here:http://bit.ly/xy0elw

Among the report's conclusions are that:
* Only seven per cent of organisations which took part in the consultation were fully in support of plans to replace DLA with PIP
* There was overwhelming opposition in the consultation responses to nearly all of the government's proposals for DLA reform
* The government has consistently used inaccurate figures to exaggerate the rise in DLA claimants
* The report shows that nearly all of the recent increase in working-age claimants of DLA has been associated with mental health conditions and learning difficulties. Between 2002 and 2010, the number of working-age DLA claimants - excluding those with mental health conditions and learning difficulties remained remarkably stable
* 98 per cent of those who responded opposed plans to change the qualifying period for PIP from three months (as it is with DLA) to six months
* 90 per cent opposed plans for a new assessment, which disabled people fear will be far too similar to the much-criticised work capability assessment used to test eligibility for employment and support allowance (ESA)
* Respondents to the consultation repeatedly warned that the government's plans could breach the Equality Act, the Human Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

[Along with editors and authors Sue Marsh and Dr S J Campbell, contributors include Kaliya Franklin; Declan Gaffney; Mason Dixon; Leigh James; Sam Barnett-Cormack; Rhydian Fon-James; Dawn Willis, and others. The report is published independently but supported and endorsed by a range of NGOs, including Ekklesia, Disability Alliance, Mind, Papworth Trust and Scope]

Kahlil Gibran On Children

Kahlil Gibran On Children:

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On Children
 Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Alchemy at Twitter

Twitter Blog: Promoted Products: now more mobile:

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Twitter turns drivel into gold.

Tweets are trawled for commercially useful information that is used by 'Promoted' brands to give us exactly what we told them we wanted?

'Promoted' Tweeters? - pay for the privilege.

External reality mirroring our beliefs, consumer choices et al?

Where's a hands-on philosopher when you need one!

Well Done Thomas Knyvett College

Thomas Knyvett PTA meets on the 2nd Wednesday of alternate months.  The next meeting is coming Wednesday the 14th March at the school. 

Everyone welcome parents/carers/grandparents local people - come and support your local secondary school. 

In 2007 TKC was under 'special measures' - of all the secondary schools in the whole of England it had been under 'special measures' for the longest - some distinction! 

Now it's one of the fastest improving schools in Surrey - despite serving the needs of one of Surrey's most deprived wards.  Well don TKC.  Support this success - help build a future to be proud of.  Jingoistic?  Just a tad!

Beathe in Freshness

Feels great to be alive and the little aches and pains as well as the big sadnesses and losses are part of the joy.  Breathe in freshness breathe out loss and pain.

Dealing with "tickets" from Private Parking Companies (PPCs) - FightBack Forums

I got caught in the wrong lane while dropping my pal Patrick at Luton Airport. I found this item useful. When given a demand by a private parking co ignore them. Hope it works!

Dealing with "tickets" from Private Parking Companies (PPCs) - FightBack Forums:

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Learning to Involve - Empowering service users and carers to work with public sector bodies :: Creating Excellence

Clare, Bernadine, and I'm sure although I haven't spoken to her Julia and myself were ... verging on elated after yesterday's Call Back Day at Royal Holloway' Social Work 'Call Back' Day.

I learnt a lot - about the experience of student social workers in their first weeks on 'placement' and went away less weary that today's students will make service user and carer involvement in health and social care a lived reality.

Want to know more about Empowering service users and Carers? Follow this link:

Learning to Involve - Empowering service users and carers to work with public sector bodies :: Creating Excellence:

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Picnik

Picknik closing such a shame - here's a picture of my mum, aunt and uncle - half uncle and cousin - sister and cousin int he background. Funny to think we all share DNA.

Picnik:

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Hotmail - roseann_@hotmail.co.uk - Windows Live

Picnik Fab application for photo primping is closing. I suspect that this butterfly is going to change into something totally awesome. Picknik premium is now free until it closes in April. So a chance to have fun for free. Thanks Picnik! Au Revoir

Dogs not been sick but has forsaken me for a bevy of hot 14 year olds in a scalding black and pink boudoir! A Dog's Life Indeed.

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Thousands of disabled people set to lose their Motability vehicles | Jane Young, Disability Consultant

Thousands of disabled people set to lose their Motability vehicles | Jane Young, Disability Consultant:

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Is it Fair? I know not everyone will lose their entitlement but the fear and anxiety created by the current upheaval and the proven machinations and skulduggery of the government in tweaking and mis-information is alarming. Speak out for plain speaking.

Manage Themes ‹ My Blog — WordPress

Manage Themes ‹ My Blog — WordPress:

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We Are Family

I feel hard done by. I do the driving and earn the cash for the car and petrol - I get the blame when things go wrong and have to stay sobre, take the brunt of the jokes and 'looks' and be RESPONSIBLE!

OK that's the rope that binds me. Responsibility. I take the job of parenting seriously. It's hard bringing up a mixed race - dual heritage - half caste - whatever child. Particularly when the child's a girl - impossible to manage the hair. And you got it - it's my fault! She envies me my straight locks!

Aunty is great and a God send and I thank whatever powers that be for Karen.