On Friday 4th November a group of disability campaigners from Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Greathouse service in Kington Langley met James Gray MP.
More than 40 residents and their family members met with the North Wiltshire MP to share their concerns about disability benefits.
Mr Gray listened to the views of several people who explained how the removal of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) mobility component, which is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) from March 2013, would impact on their lives.
Mr Gray spoke to many disabled people including Geraldine Usher, who has been a resident for four years. Geraldine, who has Cerebral Palsy, said:
“One of my greatest joys in life is to go to the theatre in Bristol. When I do go I face a lot of extra costs because I have to take a carer with me, and have to pay for accessible transport to get us there and back. If my mobility allowance is taken away I won’t be able to afford to go any more. This also applies when I go to buy clothes and toiletries from our closest towns Bath and Swindon.”
“We were really pleased Mr Gray took time out to listen to us. He heard directly from the people who would be affected by this cut if it came to pass. It was a very productive day, everyone enjoyed getting involved and sharing their views.”
Following the visit Mr Gray said: “It was a great pleasure to speak to the residents at Greathouse on Friday regarding their concerns about disability benefits. I took the opportunity to explain the Government’s current position, that it in no way intends to reduce the mobility of residents in care homes. The Government and MPs are listening to the concerns raised about mobility provision in care homes. I commend Leonard Cheshire Disability for initiating an independent review of how personal mobility needs of people living in residential care are met. Their work in this area is absolutely essential.”
Earlier this morning Mr Gray signed Early Day Motion (EDM) 2374 on personal mobility in state-funded care. The EDM welcomes, amongst other things, the seven recommendations of the Low Review including that disabled people living in state-funded residential care should be eligible to receive the mobility component on the same basis as disabled people receiving care in their own homes.
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