Open letter to John Howard: Walk a mile in our shoes

Piece Work

In some ways, home-based piecework is the ideal; if the person’s physical, emotional and mental capacities allow it. But again the “efficiency” factor means they will be earning less than other workers.

Self-employment

Self-employment is a good option too, for it offers a degree of control. Unfortunately self-employment means you are responsible for everything such as reception and marketing, particularly in the start up phase of a small business. This requires up to 50 per cent of time spent in unpaid work. Will this be considered in assessing the 15 hours?

Leaving Home

Of course you could argue that PWD’s should get a “real job”, but this adds the physical and financial burden of travel. So what they gain working for someone else, they lose by commuting. Often the cost of this is pain and further disability.

Why don’t they move closer?

Even if it was possible to live close to work, moving home is a chore that makes the able-bodied shudder. For PWDs, moving means finding a new network of health professionals they can trust. For someone with my condition, this is quite a challenge, as many doctors don’t even believe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a real illness. It means leaving supportive neighbours and family. It means having to educate a whole new batch of carers or services to your condition and needs.

Unemployment v Disability

It is about time that this Government put the “disability bludger” myth into its social policy wastebasket. PWDs are not dole bludgers. For the record, many “dole bludgers” aren’t dole bludgers either, but that is another story.

Let’s be realistic John. For a disabled person to escape poverty, they need to be able to earn an hourly rate of twice the average person. The statistics show that for the vast majority this is not achievable, and no training program will resolve that.

A balanced life