I think my great grandmother would have called you a ninny Philip Hammond. I have no words clean enough for public
view! To put it another way, let me take
a quote out of context, your comments ‘take ignorance to a whole new level!’.
Before we talk about productive, let me tell you how I hard it is to even get work:
I got
through school. Yet, not that long ago people like me were denied an education. A trend
that’s making a come back it seems. My mother fought
a huge battle to get me into school. I sat in some
classes admiring the gardens beyond, as many teachers made it clear their job
was neither to include me in activities, nor to
mark my work. Bullied and abused I still could learn, but some teachers thought they were not paid
to see beyond the targets I couldn't meet. Despite this I
sat exams, although many said this was pointless. In
the eyes of a few I had nowhere to go, no intelligence speak of, no skills, no future. I passed...
but for what.
I want myself employable! I had applied lots, lots… and lots. Rejections. lots. I hadn’t the
right qualifications, I got more, still not enough experience etc.. an unusual CV. “Tell you what, why don't you give us your time for free!” Whatever…! Apparently it’s not unlawful to
discriminate before you have a job; and it’s fine to make up costs and/or blame
the market, the board or the economy. We hire those
with money, not those needing it most. Believing our own prejudice is easier
than looking at the flaws in the system, or the society beyond it.
Safety and security?? Let’s find a house... would be good.
But no. There are so few houses, many far too
expensive, elusive is the accessible home. Private landlords can refuse. Estate
agents are for the most part unprepared and ill equipped. Once inside, moving around can be difficult, getting meals a nightmare and sleep often impossible... pain, drugs, fear all have a cost. There’s help... but not for what you need.
Most rely on those closest, huge pressures. For many breakfast, shower and dressing are on
other people’s terms. For some it means getting up early enough to take
medication. Medicine that leaves you feeling sick,
hazy and nauseous, you need time to get upright, coffeed and smile. it's expected, de rigeur!
Transport?? Again a lottery, some trains/buses are
accessible, others not. Some drivers will not stop, others will say their ramp
is broken, or it’s the support workers day off. For others it might be a car, but good luck
with parking, never a given... 4 times round the block you go.
On the job, attitudes vary, some
people really understand that what you bring is unique. But for others it is
assumptions based on the stories they’ve heard about
scroungers and good for nothings. You have to prove your worth, contradict the
expected. Put up with rubbish, people asking rude questions, assuming failure,
dismissing what you have done well as fluke. Expect
the finger to be pointed at mistakes, the questioning
of professional experience, baby talk and wagging heads... it can be a grueling day.
You leave work, tired, hungry, humiliated and depressed.
Drink and chat, possibly not, no parking or access, twice round block ... give
up. Small glimmer of hope, till you see a car on
pavement so you can’t get in...
Shopping? Not tonight, accessible bays taken, so nothing
fresh this evening or any milk for breakfast.
Getting home, always a gamble... friendly neighbours on one
side, but others are loose cannons... key in police number as you near the property just in case.
You’ve asked nicely, but you were then threatened, so fear rises as bile
seeps into your throat. Thankfully someone is home, so rescue is at hand.
Otherwise, it is again round the block we go...
But of course it’s my fault!! Clearly! Pin the lack of effort on me why don’t you Hammond? Hoping for equity and accountability in the shape of legislation-
what was I thinking!!!
Enough piffle there's a thesis to finish.....
