.... 2/2 'assessment should be what brings you joy' & 'don't let the current system limit what you want' - Daisy Yates from the Casey commission (brilliant to have the whole team here) 'you are the experts' - Jess McGregor 'to love is to act' Now we are having suggestion time!

1/2 An amazing start to @socfuture gathering. Lots of great things already - SAWN opening with songs of joy and friendship - Eve Holt welcoming us to Manchester 'joy is resistance' - Rick Burgess 🍉 reminding us of the urgency & disabled people's movement....

4/4...-illness and disability can affect anyone (even you). We talk about a safety net but it's already barely there.  - the rhetoric that people are lazy or scroungers is really damaging and frankly insulting. No one would choose to be this poor or have to fight such systems.

3/4...-We face extra challenges (pain, fatigue, lack of access etc etc) every day due to our conditions.  -Cutting my already low income won't mean I can work more, my health won't allow that.  -We are an easy target while those with the broadest shoulders are not suffering...

2/4....& powerless place to be in.  There are many fabulous disabled people who are stating the facts better than I can,but I will say:  -disabled people are already much more likely to live in poverty than non disabled people...

1/4 Benefits 'reform' / cuts  I didn't post last week as I couldn't find the words. The fear & stress over the past week has had a huge affect on me & I know many others, suddenly panicking that you won't be able to pay bills or afford to feed your dog is such a scary...

“I’m having to spend the last days of my life fighting for the right to live” Read Rosy's story If assisted suicide became UK law how many dying people would choose it because of the difficulty in accessing scarce NHS, social care & end of life support? https://t.co/JojP2kVPnF

2/2.... He said to fund an 'independent driving solution' only I could drive it. Due to my disability I struggle with long journeys so mum or PAs drive. So I'd lose all my independence of having a vehicle I can drive??? He's going to ask his manager who gets to decide my fate.

1/2 Being disabled can feel so degrading & powerless. My @Motability van is 9yrs so has to go back. But the rules now say I have to need it for work & be the only driver to get one I can drive from my wheelchair....

How we discuss #SocialCare matters, good care's about living! My life is built on social care it means I can work, live in my own home, be a good aunty & have a cat. This commission should not be about solving the problem of care but unlocking it's glorious potential 4/4

I think the stair lift in my parent's house heard me saying I didn't feel very Christmassy this year so has broken down (with me upstairs). Only problem is the good food is downstairs... (and the shower! 😂)

2/2.... 2024 was one of the hardest years of my life personally. So for me and for all of you I hope for a happy and healthy 2025. But one good thing that happened this year was this little guy moving in 2 months ago. Already best buddies ❤️

1/2 I'm not 'doing' Christmas this year, I just don't feel festive. But I am taking some time off and at least a month off into the new year to recover from the physical challenges and the emotional toll of loss and pain last year. 2024 was one of the hardest years....

National standards should explicitly prioritise the values underpinning our vision for better social care. Choice & control, belonging & relationships, inclusive places, meaning & purpose 2/

At Birmingham University yesterday a group came together focussed on ensuring that the proposed national care standards start from what matters to people who draw on social care. We invite contributions from others with this goal Thread👇 1/

@martynsibley @lilacreviewuk Just remind him that we can’t do any of this without good social care. So many disabled trailblazers of today benefitted from ILF.

Go @martynsibley !

And so nice to come home to Finn rather than an empty house. First time I left him with a friend he knows. We all want to live in the place we call home with the people and things that we love... ❤️

Glad to be home after a busy couple of days @ncasc24. While the £££ situation is understandably a topic of conversation, it was uplifting to hear great, creative examples of people supported to get the life they want. There are many good people still trying to improve things.

Hello #MP’s are you are still undecided about your decision ? Listen to what Liz Carr @thelizcarr has to say on the subject of Assisted Dying / Suicide Liz has a very careful & well considered view & insight to what this bill is about & will lead to