Sarah: Changing the Narrative

30/08/2026

So often!

23/08/2026

The propaganda machine has targeted PIP. People still believe that PIP is an out of work benefit. The reality is that PIP is sometimes the only thing that makes it possible for people to be in work. It’s a similar concept to how people keep referring to illegal immigrants when talking about asylum seekers. They are not illegal. The government has a responsibility to be truthful. The Labour Party needs to do better.

The “get a job” brigade

Over 1,000 people told me to “get a job” because I criticised Reform UK’s plans for PIP.

The irony? They had no idea whether I claim PIP, and no idea that I already have a job, run a business, and study for a Master’s.

That’s exactly the problem with the way PIP is discussed. People are being fed simplistic soundbites about “benefits” and “workshy” people, then repeating them without understanding what PIP actually is.

You can claim PIP while working. Having a job does not automatically mean you don’t have additional costs or difficulties because of a disability.

Criticise the argument if you want, but at least understand the system before attacking the people who rely on it.

23/08/2026

Ankle update.

I’ve had my second physio session with Jack, and he said I have made some progress over the last four weeks.

I finally have some gutter crutches to support my recovery. Because standard crutches are inaccessible to me, these had to be specially ordered and approved by a procurement panel. I’m not ready to use them yet, but at least they are finally here.

I have developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, known as CRPS, with severe allodynia. This means ordinary touch can cause intense pain. I also experience burning pain, electric shocks, numbness, swelling and colour changes. I have been referred to the pain clinic, and Jack advised us to check that they received my questionnaire.

I was able to let Jack touch the bottom of my foot, but still not the top or sides. I could also press down quite firmly against his hand, which is another small sign of progress.

I showed him my attempts to move my foot up and down and make very small circles. The improvement is tiny, but tiny is still better than none.

Jack showed us some new exercises using a Theraband, a wobble cushion and a mirror box.

So, of course, I Amazon’d the cushion and mirror box. I am known as the parcel queen in our house. Usually it is Vinted or eBay, but specialist suppliers wanted £80 or more for a mirror box and over £26 for the cushion. Amazon charged £35 for the pop up mirror box shown in the photograph and £10 for the cushion.

Talk about the disability tax!

The mirror box was incredibly strange. I watched the reflection of my good foot while Jack touched it, with my injured foot hidden from view. Somehow, it felt as though he was touching my injured foot. I could feel a little pressure there even though he was not touching it at all.

While watching the movement in the mirror, I tried to move my injured foot without looking at it. Both Paul and Jack said it moved more than before.

My friend said the mirror box reminded her of a Penn and Teller show 🤣 But it felt like real magic. My injured foot responded to something it could see but was not actually experiencing. 🤯

The power of the mind is incredible!

It has been a really tough week, especially with the pain at night. I have felt very downhearted. There have been tears and moments when I have felt thoroughly sorry for myself.

This session was exactly what I needed. I came away feeling much more hopeful about my prognosis.

Fracture clinic is next Thursday, when we expect I will be cleared for weight bearing. Recovery is still going to take time, but today I feel a little more positive.

Just don’t tell PP (husband). He has been driving me crazy by telling me to “think positive” whenever I’m upset. 😜

Does anyone else find this really infuriating?



Alt text: Product photograph of a black pop up mirror box. A hand is placed inside the box while its reflection is visible in the large mirror, creating the illusion that the opposite hand is being seen.

21/08/2026

✊🏻solidarity with Kim.

21/08/2026

Ableism is not harmless. Disabled people face rising hostility, discrimination, online abuse and disability hate crime simply for existing.

This petition calls for a properly funded National Disability Hate Strategy, co-produced with Disabled People’s Organisations.

Please sign and share.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/777738



Alt text: Green UK Parliament petition graphic featuring a white portcullis symbol.

Develop and fund a National Disability Hate Strategy, co-produced with Disabled People’s Organisations, to tackle disability hate crime, online abuse, discrimination, public stigma and improve awareness of visible and hidden disabilities.

21/08/2026