Diary of a unemployed head injured DDT
Steven Fry - Good Egg or Pompous Prat up his own arse? You decide!
It's been a while.
The novelty of working again after being on the scrapheap (the pre 2012 Workfare programme!!) for 4 years has caused me to ignore you (Am I now being a pompous prat up my own arse assuming both people read this and look forward to the next Blog?!). I am loving being back at work and doing well I'm told. I'm very tired but after a head-injury as bad as mine I was always going to be!
However, it's brought some unwelcome memories back.
After my accident in 1991 I went into the Rehab unit as a "no-hoper". Everybody there apart from my family, friends and a few of the medical staff thought that.Over the next 10 weeks I made a remarkable recovery, which was great. However, I became aware that I was getting better quicker than the other patients and so did they. Rather than being thrilled at what was happening all I can remember is feeling guilty. Why am I getting better and Gary/ Chris/ etc aren't? That guilt has stayed with me!
So, my return to the rat-race has awoken similar feelings. Why have I got a job and people like me (in fact, me for 4 years!) can't seem to get past the initial screening process?
The Spartacus Report awoke a felling of belonging to the disabled community in me. Once I got past the guilt (most of the people I tweet with appear to have "proper visible disabilities" that make me feel like a fraud!!) I wanted to do my bit. Now I am back in work I still want to do my bit if I can.
Which brings us to Stephen Fry. I have noticed that the Spartaci have been ignored by the press and everybody else. A few notable exceptions in the Lords (Thanks Tanni) have fought hard but the mainstream are unaware of the potential holocaust facing us. I though that some of our famous friends who have a position of responsibility to the disabled (i.e. The President of MIND) might say something that people might listen to.
Stephen Fry Tweets a lot. He is disabled. People might listen to him. Will he help?
Not unless you're a disabled Rhino or Tiger, threatened by man. Why are animals more important to him than the disabled. He didn't have to be President of MIND.
My activism against Stephen Fry highlighted a problem. I fell out on Twitter with 2 people.
Grace @greyseahorse thought I was being anti-endangered species. I engaged with her and explained my position re the pompous Oxbridge twit and she became a supporter.
@creativecrip held a different view than me and we fell out (I got un-followed for the first time I know of!!). I am sorry for upsetting her.
I asked MIND how I could mobilise a vote against him through their procedures. The reply is below.
Don't forget, MIND uses workfare as slave labour. MIND reports people to the DWP for not carrying out Workfare. MIND is working with the CONDEM's to reprogramme the disabled. If you read below MIND (a Charity) WILL cut off services to disabled people that lose their funding.
MIND have told me I am the only person to complain about Mr Fry. Their contact details are below. If their attitude is OK then file me in the rebel without a cause box. If you think they are wrong, contact them.
Mt final question.......
Who do these Charities represent?
Some of us have started a "Post Spartacus Blog" link below. Please have a look?
No To Irresponsible Welfare And Mental Health Care Reform In The UK.
Read more:
nowr.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=charities&thread=12&page=1#ixzz1slYPoy9FDear Ian
The appointment of the President is an internal decision, voted and approved by our board of trustees. It is not subject to external election or review. Our trustees are elected by our members and are therefore empowered to make decisions on their behalf.
We have no plans to review the appointment. We would do so if the postholder was not fulfilling the role or we felt they were bringing our values and organisation into disrepute. This is not the case at the present time.
Best
Ruth
Ruth Richards
Head of Communications
020 8215 2318
Mind
15-19 Broadway, Stratford, London E15 4BQ
www.mind.org.ukFrom: Ian Jones [mailto:ian8jones@me.com]
Sent: 19 April 2012 12:40
To: r.richards@mind.org.uk
Subject: Re: Tweet by MindCharity
Dear Ruth
Can I suggest you consult with Twitter for other negative comments about your President. You have not told me the mechanism by which he can be removed?
Thanks
Ian
Sent from my iPhone
On 19 Apr 2012, at 11:48, r.richards@mind.org.uk wrote:
> Dear Ian
>
> Thank you for your message.
>
> I assume you're referring to whether individuals with personal budgets will be able to access services from Mind if this funding is cut? This is complex, as it would depend on what the contract was to deliver those services and how the costs are covered. Some services are funded in a way that allows us to offer universal access. Some services require a referral.
>
> Mind operates a federated structure, so each local Mind is an independent charity in its own right. If you want to know the access requirements for their services, you would need to contact the local Mind involved. They would be able to tell you whether they could offer the service to someone without a personal budget.
>
> Of course this isn't a perfect situation. We want to see everyone be able to access the support they need. We are always working on ways that we can improve access. At a national level we're campaigning hard to see mental health services improve across the board.
>
> But, being charities, all Minds are reliant on funding. We can only carry out the work we have money for. We work hard to encourage people to donate to us but the reality is, like many smaller charities, many local Minds are struggling in the current climate.
>
> We'd never want to withdraw a service, but sometimes we don't have a choice.
>
> In response to your second query, I'm aware that you have expressed disappointment in our appointment of Stephen Fry as our President. This feedback has been logged. However, we have not received any other negative comments. In fact, we have received very positive feedback from members and supporters. So we do not feel we need to review the arrangement.
>
> The 'President' of Mind is a honourary post. It's an awareness raising role. We want Stephen to use his public profile and popularity to reach out to people who may not know much about mental health and helping us challenge the stigma that exists in much of the media.
>
> This is a very different role from that of our Chair and trustee board who oversee the governance of Mind. They are responsible for ensuring we operate in a way that holds true to our values and that is of maximum benefit to everybody with a mental health problem.
>
> Best wishes
> Ruth
>
> Ruth Richards
> Head of Communications
> 020 8215 2318
>
> Mind
> 15-19 Broadway, Stratford, London E15 4BQ
> t: 020 8519 2122
> w:
www.mind.org.uk> Registered charity number 219830. Registered in England number 424348.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ian Jones [mailto:ian8jones@me.com]
> Sent: 12 April 2012 12:38
> To: contact@mind.org.uk
> Subject: Tweet by MindCharity
>
>
edwinmandella That isn't what we're saying, but it's difficult to answer in 140 characters. Please email contact@mind.org.uk.
>
> Hi
>
> A Group of ex-Spartaci are concerned that the mentally ill/ head injured/ etc are not being properly represented by the Charities that claim to represent us.
>
> As a first stage we are canvassing major charities to establish their charitable response to users having their finding cut off. How would you deal with that situation and would you withdraw services in any circumstance?
>
> I am still awaiting information as to whether it is possible to oppose Stephen Fry's position as President.
>
> Thank you
>
> Ian Jones
>
> by MindCharity at 12/04/2012 12:30
>
> (Source: )
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
>
>
? 