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Wednesday 29 October 2014

The Fight Still Goes On...

Is it hard, being a campaigner?

It was easier, when I was younger, - before this government. Before this government, it was access issues - 'excuse me, any chance we could have a ramp here'? ''These doors cold be electric, you know...' 'yes, but when you get the wheelchairs, INSIDE the lift, there's barely any room, to close the door!' Or, 'excuse me, you can't do that', 'these buses need level access. You're breaking the law...!'

Now, it's 'but they're killing us! People are starving...'

It's being told we're any variant, of 'benefit scrounging scum' ...on an almost daily basis, by this government, or the media.
I've lost count of the times I've had to say, 'actually, those figures aren't correct. You're being lied to. Benefit fraud is actually...percent!'

I feel worthless, every time the government spouts more 'scrounger rhetoric' and lies to people. I'm not a 'scrounger' - I'm Helen,- and for the record, disabled, and ill people, have to struggle, just to manage the easiest of tasks, and just to get through the day! Surely, that is the very definition of 'striving?!' - But no, that doesn't count! WE don't count, now.

Even when I'm trying to 'take a break,' my brain won't switch off. There's guilt. I feel like I should be doing this, that, or the other. I should be reading, or writing this,that or the other!
I'm getting better at saying, (to myself), I'll do it later, but it takes ages, for the knots to leave my stomach.
I'm not alone. There are so many of us, that carry those feelings around with us, and the fight, never stops! If we don't make a stand, and say that all this anxiety, fear, suffering, pain, and death, is wrong, - who will?!
We can't count on the law to protect us, because the bastards in government, will change that, if something doesn't go their way!

We can't count on (many) politicians to protect us, because they are the problem! Them, and their twisted, harmful, and sick ideology - which says the poor and vulnerable, should suffer, while the rich, pay less tax, get bonuses, and kick us. while we're down!

Nobody asks for a disability or illness. It's not a choice! Nobody asks to be poor, either.

We are fighting harder now, and it's a different fight to when I started. We have to fight for basics, and the right to be viewed as human beings, and not nameless 'scroungers!'

I never thought this could, or would happen, but it is. and we're living it.

Is it hard, being a campaigner? It's beyond hard, and it's heartbreaking.

I wouldn't wish what so many people are going through, on my worst enemy, and I often feel that whatever I do, it is never enough.

I won't get started on 'group politics', self imposed campaigner hierarchies, egos, and the day to day grind of the way all that works! That's another layer of stress!
That's why I stay out of groups, and I don't have any party allegiances. I speak for myself, and myself only. If people agree with me, fine. If people don't, that's fine, too!

The cause is more important than me. It's more important than any one person. I believe in it, with everything that I am, and even though, I want to run away screaming, on a regular basis, and never campaign another day in my life, I can't do that. It's part of me. It always has been - and it always will be.

Monday 27 October 2014

Think About It...This is Everyone's Problem! (A Short Blog Post)

You know what really annoys me?...(Several things, actually, but this is what annoys me, most)!

We shouldn't be the only ones fighting to save the welfare state! No one is immune from potentially needing it!

What's happening here, isn't just a problem for us, it's a problem for future generations, and it's a problem, for those who are arrogant enough to think that they would never need it!

Everyone should be helping us!

Everyone, (with any compassion, or understanding, at all), should be supporting us, as we try to raise awareness of the fact that vulnerable people, are suffering and DYING, under this government!

We aren't just doing this for ourselves. We are doing it for YOUR children, and grandchildren, and ANYONE, who just might need a bit of help one day!

No one is immune from disability,illness, or unemployment. Lives can change, (forever), in just a split second!

Please, don't think that what's happening here, is 'nothing to do with you', 'not your problem', or that it has 'no impact on your life'. It impacts on everyone!


I'm not sure either, that I would want to be one of the people, who turn a blind eye, while disabled,ill, and vulnerable people fight for their lives!

It may seem harsh, but that is the truth of what's happening here. In years to come, people will wonder, how this was allowed to happen? How did we allow people to suffer, (and often, die), under these 'reforms?!'

Please, don't be one of those people, who doesn't even think about it.


...And just to back up what I've said, as I type this, I know of someone, who has begged me, to send them tins of food, because they have nothing!
Is it any wonder, we're angry and hurt?! This, should not be happening, anywhere, - ever! 
Least of all here, in a rich country, -and YES, we are rich, despite what this government would have you believe!
We should be able to feed, and care for people, who need it. Before you believe all the coalition's 'scrounger rhetoric', please, think about it, and remember that we, are people.














(Image: Google)

#helenswriting

Tuesday 21 October 2014

Remember What the Truth Is... (A Facebook Status, Shared).



Oh great! It's another one of those 'Is your neighbour committing benefit fraud' campaigns!
This means more accusations of, 'x can't be disabled/ill. I saw them....!'

Helen xx

'You can't be ill, I saw you OUTSIDE, SMILING!'
As this is another attempt by the government to plant doubt and suspicion in people's minds, can I please remind people, that not every disability or illness is visible, and even people who feel horrible on the inside, manage to smile?!
Don't make snap judgements, because it can lead to a hell of a lot of trouble, which is exactly what the government wants.
The Tories have always hated the Welfare state. They want it, gone.
They want to spread doubt and hatred, which will ultimately divide people. It's already happening!
They want to justify cutting that support. If you've been my Facebook friend, or my 'real life' friend, for at least four years, (assuming you have paid attention), you will know what happens, (and is happening), when vital support is ripped away.
Vulnerable people suffer, and die.
I'm not saying there aren't fraudsters. What I'm saying, is that they are a very small percentage, compared to the numbers you have been lead to believe.
Remember what the TRUTH is. This government has an ideology that they want to serve.
That ideology, is hurting, and causing the deaths of people, who are struggling already. Now they, (we), have to fight for our lives, too.
All I'm asking, please, is that you keep an open mind. Every 'scrounger' that this government tells you to hate, is a person, with a life - and feelings, which are being hurt.
Nobody chooses disability, or illness, and nobody chooses to have heartbreaking limitations placed on their lives. Please, please, remember that, and remember, too, that this can happen to ANYONE!
Love,

Helen.

Wednesday 15 October 2014

Make-up is Fake (Unedited First Draft).

Make-up is fake,
I’m real,
Make-up says my face is easier to take,
But I’m real.

Why should I hide
A blemish or a scar,
Have they harmed me, so far?
Make-up is fake,
I’m real.

I’ve got a spot, I may wish wasn’t there,
But it’s not really me,
It’s society that cares!
 Make-up is fake,
But I’m real.

You say it gives confidence,
When you look good,
But who told you that you should?
Make-up is fake,
You’re real.

Why does it matter,
 That you haven’t got perfect skin,
Because confidence, you know,
It comes from within.
Make-up is fake,
But you’re real.

Yes, I have pride in my appearance, too,
I’m tidy and clean,
But I am me,
And I don’t need to preen.
Make-up is fake,
 I’m real.

Be yourself,
Your lipstick, is not what they’ll remember,
Hold your head up,
Don’t hide,
And never surrender,
Because
Make-up is fake,
But you’re real.




Image: 'Pinterest'










#helenswriting

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Bitter...and Twisted (Poem 2011)

Today
I'm bitter,
My body twists
In pain.

Today
I'm angry,
My body
Fights my brain.

Today
I'm crying,
My body
Wins again.

Today
I'm worthless,
And my body
Feels the same.

Today
I'm bitter,
And my body
Still remains.





(Image: Google)