Martin Bonner 🦋 @argentas.bsky.social

Exeter, UK. Interested in Science, Technology, Healthcare, and Disability Rights. Partner of Heart/Lung transplant recipient. Self Employed. Unpaid carer.

[Martin Bonner 🦋 @argentas.bsky.social @MartinJBonner]

With Carers Week drawing to a close, and the words from Liz Kendall’s vile and condescending video still echoing in my head, I’ve been reflecting this weekend on my experience as an unpaid carer for my partner. 1/15

[Good Morning Britain @GMB]

Dan Biddle, the most severely injured survivor of the 7/7 London bombings, is facing the loss of his job and home after the government drastically cut his Access to Work (AtW) support.

He tells Richard and @charlottehawkns what this will mean for him.

[Carole Bonner @londonworker]

@SalisburyNHS I just wanted to put on record my thanks to all the staff who are treating my son's partner. From A&E, Amesbury, ICU and Chilmark you have all shown kindness and professionalism during some very challenging situations. Thank you

[Flick Williams @flickhwilliams]

Remember this 👇 Now settled out of court. Retrofitting to remove wire racks, lower cabinet handles & door treatments completed.

Sometimes disabled people do win the David versus Goliath fights.
But first you have to get in the fight for access to win it. ✊

[Dr. Sean Mullen @drseanmullen]

We didn’t “go back to normal.” We just normalized mass disability, mass gaslighting, and mass graves.

[Dr Jay Watts @Shrink_at_Large]

Er, Kemi, of the many problems in your statement—“end automatic ‘severe condition’ status for low-level mental health issues like anxiety and ADHD”—there is no such thing. This is made up. If you want to look tough, perhaps focus on getting rid of things that actually exist.

[BENEFITS NEWS @BENEFITS_NEWS]

The “horrific” target-driven system used to decide people’s disability benefits must end, former assessors have warned.
https://t.co/G1YTtq39wD

[Flick Williams @flickhwilliams]

#ACY25 While you were talking the talk, this wheelchair user was ‘active travelling’ to go shopping. Except pavements were impassable & no ramps provided. Had to get out of ♿️, shove it off the footpath with my one good arm to continue on road. Dangerous.
#TakingTheDis

[Martin Bonner 🦋 @argentas.bsky.social @MartinJBonner]

@disnenchanted @allyc375 Sadly that is not uncommon, but it is important he applies for UC because he may in the future need the national insurance credits that UC will provide.

[Flick Williams @flickhwilliams]

At #ACY25 @simonlightwood tells delegates small interventions can make a big difference to people. The Council should take note that less than 200 yards from the conference centre the dropped kerb is blocked by an overgrown hedge. But disabled people don’t matter, do we ⁉️

[Martin Bonner 🦋 @argentas.bsky.social @MartinJBonner]

@paullewismoney @BBCRadio4 Thanks @paullewismoney. Definitely one of the most accurate discussions around this topic that I've encountered in the media. One point I would make is that the additional allowance for those assessed as LCW has not been available to new claimants since 2017

[Mason Dixon Autistic @MasonDAutistic]

Last week: experts on TV were saying the chancellor would have to raise taxes in the Autumn

This week: experts on TV are saying the chancellor will have to raise taxes in the Autumn, because of yesterday.

Never: experts on TV talk about the costs of cuts to NHS and social care

[Nadia Whittome MP @NadiaWhittomeMP]

But the concessions don’t go far enough. Problems remaining:
1. £2 billion cut to UC health element hitting 750,000 new claimants
2. Questions about how meaningful "co-production" of the PIP review will be
3. Unclear if MPs will be able to amend and vote on the PIP review 4/7

[NJ @NoJusticeMTG]

One thing that needs to be excised from public discourse is the received wisdom that 'welfare reform is necessary'. The welfare bill is not 'ballooning', it's been between 10-12% of gdp for 30 odd years. We have one of the most miserly welfare states in Europe.

[John McTernan @Johnmcternan]

@theobertram The problem is a clear narrative to construct round government actions - has been drowned by failed & wrong-headed attempts to cut social security.

Last 3 weeks has had an NHS 10 year plan, defence spending announcement, £100bn of infra spend, an industrial strategy. All lost.

[Stef Benstead @StefBenstead]

@Shrink_at_Large The IAPT + employment support programme that they tried ended up with fewer of the in-work-but-struggling group still in work after the support.
The report authors noted that work can be negative, and that keeping someone in work may be at the expense of health and wellbeing.

[John McTernan @Johnmcternan]

“You stopped us harming people with disabilities, so we’ll hurt children” is not a line that shows any learning from the debacle.

[Mason Dixon Autistic @MasonDAutistic]

This is how the government gets to pretend benefit claims have already doubled by 2030

[Martin Bonner 🦋 @argentas.bsky.social @MartinJBonner]

@MichaelG823588 @Shrink_at_Large Hi Michael. I hope you are doing okay. Thank you so much for having the courage to share this, as it is so important for people to know they are not alone in feeling this way, and that there are people out there who will listen.

[Flick Williams @flickhwilliams]

Dear MPs,
We’re headed towards the vote. Disabled people are watching which lobby you go through.

We won’t forget and we won’t let you forget either. Vote wisely.
#KillTheChaoticBill