My Disappointment in the Benefit Cuts to the Disabled

Why I Voted and Why I'm Angry

I am so disappointed in what I’ve been hearing. I voted for this government. Honestly, not because I am a Labour person, I’m not. I do not have a political affiliation. I voted for them for the same reason most people probably did. I couldn’t stomach another five years of the nastiness we’ve had to endure for the last 14 years. Now, what I’m seeing with these cuts feels like we are reliving it all over again. Sadly, I feel all the realistic alternatives would be far, far worse.

The Wrong Targets

What I do not understand is how the government is targeting the disabled and vulnerable. There are multi-billion-pound businesses, we know the ones, the ones who pay next to nothing, percentage-wise, in tax. I know people like to argue they create jobs and business. But let’s not forget that the people working for these companies, you know, the ones who make the businesses actually run, are being exploited. Be it zero-hour contracts or being monitored for how long they take a toilet break.

Why is the government focusing their energy on the disabled when these leeches and parasites exist? They are the ones making the cost of living crisis worse for us. They’re the reason young people can’t afford homes anymore. They are the reason the high street is dying and people don’t bother starting a small business. What’s the point? In 5 minutes Amazon will make their own version and price you out. It’s not because 99.999999% of those entitled to disability benefits are claiming what’s rightfully theirs.

Misunderstanding Neurodiversity

I guess it’s easier to pick on those without power. I guess it may also be a strategy to appease those who intend to vote for a particular fringe populist party, though this really won’t work.

What gets me is that most people would love nothing more than to do a good day’s work, contribute to society, and make other people’s lives better.

I can only speak from my perspective. From what I’ve seen from many politicians, political commentators, and people of all backgrounds, they don’t think ADHD and/or autism are legitimate issues.

I’ve heard: “Oh, but everyone has struggles,” “Everyone has anxiety,” “Everyone struggles like that too.”

No, sorry, this is not the same.

Yes, everyone needs to go to the toilet, but if someone has to go every ten minutes, we’d likely recognise that as an issue.

Why I Never Claimed Benefits

To caveat: I have never claimed any disability benefits, though I may or may not be entitled. Honestly, the paperwork and having to deal with the type of people who work in government jobs makes it feel like I’d just rather not bother (I can’t and will not ever let anyone speak down at me, even to my own detriment) and I know many others are in the same position as me. So if anything, there are many people who are not claiming what they are entitled to. Again is this done by design?

Going Private to Survive

The only reason I am now in the fortunate position where I am gaining clients and getting more work done is because I took a great risk. I went to see the GP about my ADHD, which she could see was blatant, especially after the long email I sent before seeing her, because I didn’t want to sit and explain myself and get flustered.

Anyway, I was advised to go and use Right to Choose. I called all the ADHD companies about it and was told I’d be waiting at least six months and god knows how long after for medication. Honestly, considering I knew what the issue was and what I wanted to do with myself, I decided to bite the bullet and use my last bit of savings to go private, something which shocked a lot of people. Many advised I should wait it out with Right to Choose.

According to Rethink.org: “New analysis of NHS data by Rethink Mental Illness suggests eight times as many people are still waiting for mental health treatment after 18 months compared to physical health care.” This is a great article—please read it.

Honestly, I’m so glad I didn’t listen. Yes, it cost me a lot of money. And yes, I’m now paying £130 a month to have the privilege of having a semi-normal brain for 12–14 hours a day (My brain is still very ADHD, the difference is I now have faith in myself, I’m calm, I focus and get stuff done and no longer procrastinate, until the meds wear off). The difference in my quality of life is night and day. Thankfully, I can make enough for this to be a worthy investment—as I must put my health first. Honestly, I have no faith in the NHS, and I highly doubt they’ll take me on.

I’m sure my GP will find some loophole so I can rot and pay £130 a month forever.

If anything, shouldn’t the government be thanking me for not being a “burden” on the system?

The Slippery Slope of Neglect

I am also very lucky, that I have never been in trouble with the law or done anything damaging (except socially, such as losing contact with many friends, because I struggled to regulate my emotions and get back to people).

However, I have seen firsthand how damaging ADHD can be to some, with drugs, alcohol, and crime involved. I personally hold the belief that if people with mental health issues were given the right care and support, we’d have more creative, amazing, talented people contributing to society. However, it’s easier for politicians on the right to call for the death penalty than to address the root cause of these issues.

The Waiting List Trap

Sadly, I know many people who’ve known about their ADHD years before I did and have spent years on the waitlist. My sister was on the list for years, but after seeing how much better my life has been, she took the same risk and she’s now thriving too. Unfortunately, many people in our position don’t have the money because of their condition, so they’ll need to wait it out in this nasty, evil purgatory, being left in the dark.

Now, with the government’s new proposals, this will make things even more difficult.

Before vs After Medication

Could I have had a job before being medicated? Yes, I’ve had many and have always done well. But inside, I was always stressed, anxious, and very unwell. I’ve never been able to exercise consistently, have a nutritious diet, sustain a healthy relationship, keep in touch with friends, or do things on the weekend without being constantly exhausted. Now all of these things are a reality.

What I’m saying is: that disabled people aren’t lazy. They’re not broken. Many of us (okay, some may not consider me disabled, and that’s fine) are bursting to get out of our homes, do good things, make connections, and make humanity better.

A bad day without meds is not something I ever want to go back to again. Waking up feeling groggy, struggling to get out of bed (yes, everyone struggles), dawdling about to the shower, just sitting there for 20 minutes on my phone, getting angry with myself for not getting moving. This is the worst bit, you want to do things, yet you’re just not doing it, for reasons I can’t explain. Yes, to many people I get it, this sounds made up.

What Needs to Change

The thing is, we need support, not ultimatums. Rather than trying to make disabled and neurodivergent people comply in a neurotypical world, which has caused many issues, why not do things differently?

Why not give flexibility, not fake flexibility but real flexibility? Why does a job need to be 9–5?

Many jobs can be done asynchronously, so long as the work is done and to a good standard. That’s just one example.

Support should mean better healthcare access, more time to recover, and systems that meet people where they’re at. Sadly, most companies want to squeeze each person to a pulp, pay as little as possible, and exploit them, but who cares as long as GDP goes and up and the economy is “booming.” No, using Dubai, America, and Singapore as models really isn’t as clever as you think it is.

If we worked with compassion and fairness, we could be in a better place. It’s easy for these business gurus to say the issue is that we don’t have enough entrepreneurial spirit in this country. That’s a load of rubbish. I know many people with ADHD running small businesses. Unfortunately, many don’t go as far as they know they can. I’ve tried hundreds of things and not many have lasted.

However, with the right support, therapy, and medication for everyone who’s entitled, the goalposts would be leveled and everyone would have the same opportunity.

Again, I am very fortunate. I have a family who would have my back if the worst happened to me. That allowed me to spend this money on my diagnosis and medication and feel assured that if it didn’t work, I wouldn’t be living on the streets. Thankfully, I knew it’d work. But for many, they can’t afford to take that risk.

Final Thoughts

Will I vote for this government again? It’s hard to say. I feel the alternatives are far, far worse. However, they can’t take our votes for granted just because they are “less bad.” All I will say is: look at America, something really needs to change.

I know there are four years to go, but this isn’t a game of football where we need to “trust the process.” People’s lives are on the line here.

What My ‘Unrealistic List’ Looks Like

Give people the appropriate treatment in a real and timely manner—don’t blow them off just because their condition isn’t visible.

End rigid working rules. Stop monitoring people. Give real flexibility.

Provide income support while people get on the mend. Trust me, now that I’m feeling good, there’s nothing I want more than to contribute. To me, it’s not about money, I just want to do good.