To all those MP's who voted for the changes to ESA.

A Letter to all those who Supported the Welfare Bill

  Thanks to you I will no longer qualify for contributory ESA.

My illness has not stopped I am still unwell, suffering from severe osteoarthritis of the spine and in my knees.

It was not a lifestyle choice to stop teaching, a career which by the way I loved.

It was not for the want of trying to fix my ailing body, I endured numerous medications, suffered various procedures in the vain attempt to help my condition, none really helped. The medication masks the pain and finally after 2 years of fighting a surgeon has finally agreed I need a knee replacement.

Do you want to know how pathetic and useless I feel? How I have let my family down because I cannot contribute any more financially.

That burden now falls solely on my husband’s shoulders. He keeps going to work earning a very modest wage as well as caring for me and our two children. He does the weekly shop because I cannot walk without pain, cannot push a trolley full of food, and cannot do the housework. How long will he go on doing it? Will he get fed up and tired of the life he is leading? It can’t be much fun being pulled in all directions all because his wife is ill!!!

At least I had a bit of money with my ESA it helped make things easier for me and my family. It was a lot less than my salary as a teacher, but I had no choice.

Why I ask you am I not worthy of financial help when others who have never worked, never paid taxes are given help from the state throughout their lives. I did play by the rules believing that this country helped and cared for its sick. How wrong was I!

Just by taking away my ESA will not magically cure my health problems; I still will not be able to work. It will just make my life and my family’s life harder.

It will make my illness much harder to bear and the loss of my ESA will help to diminish myself worth even further and wonder whether I will be able to cope with the guilt.

I have let everyone down and the question I ask myself is should I carry on fighting and living or just give up?

Because illness comes with its own costs financial and social.

Financial:

·         Cost of prescription medication

·         Fuel and parking costs to hospital appointments

·         Extra heating because you are house bound

·         Purchasing special equipment and aids

·         Loss of income

Social Costs:

·         Depression and despair

·         Reliance on others for help

·         Isolation

·         Marriage break ups

·         Children becoming carers

The only hope I have is that we can group together and fight these cuts because we are stronger if we speak with one voice. Is there anyone out there who will join me and keep fighting?

Contact me at kathryn.moulds@hotmail.co.uk

or on my face book page and please sign Pats petition.