Read it and weep :-(

Reposted from Black Triangle

1000 flooersUpdated tragic list of welfare-related deaths of UK’s sick and/or disabled people. This is the tip on the iceberg:

They shall be remembered forevermore.

Avenge the dead. Resuscitate the living. We must fight on for freedom from Westminster’s murderous policies and support the struggle of all Britain’s sick and/or disabled people simultaneously. Saor Alba.

Terry McGarvey, 48. Dangerously ill from polycytheamia, Terry asked for an ambulance to be called during his Work Capability Assessment. He knew that he wasn’t well enough to attend his WCA but feared that his benefits would be stopped if he did not. He died the following day.

Elaine Lowe, 53. Suffering from COPD and fearful of losing her benefits. In desperation, Elaine chose to commit suicide.

Mark Wood, 44. Found fit for work by Atos, against his Doctors advice and assertions that he had complex mental health problems. Starved to death after benefits stopped, weighing only 5st 8lb when he died.

Paul Reekie, 48, the Leith based Poet and Author. Suffered from severe depression. Committed suicide after DWP stopped his benefits due to an Atos ‘fit for work’ decision.

Leanne Chambers, 30. Suffered depression for many years which took a turn for the worst when she was called in for a WCA. Leanne committed suicide soon after.

Karen Sherlock, 44. Multiple health issues. Found fit for work by Atos and denied benefits. Fought a long battle to get placed into the support group of ESA. Karen died the following month of a heart attack.

Carl Payne, 42.   Fears of losing his lifeline benefits due to welfare reform led this Father of two to take his own life.

Tim Salter, 53. Blind and suffering from Agoraphobia. Tim hanged himself after Atos found him fit for work and stopped his benefits.

Edward Jacques, 47 years old and suffering from HIV and Hepatitis C. Edward had a history of severe depression and self-harm. He took a fatal overdose after Atos found him fit for work and stopped his benefits.

Linda Wootton, 49 years old. A double heart and lung transplant patient. Died just nine days after the government found her fit for work, their refusal letter arriving as she lay desperately ill in her hospital bed.

Steven Cawthra, 55. His benefits stopped by the DWP and with rising debts, he saw suicide as the only way out of a desperate situation.

Elenore Tatton, 39 years old. Died just weeks after the government found her fit for work.

John Walker, 57, saddled with debt because of the bedroom tax, John took his own life.

Brian McArdle, 57 years old. Suffered a fatal heart attack the day after his disability benefits were stopped.

Stephen Hill, 53. Died of a heart attack one month after being found fit for work, even though he was waiting for major heart surgery.

Jacqueline Harris, 53. A former Nurse who could hardly walk was found fit for work by Atos and her benefits withdrawn. in desperation, she took her own life.

David Barr, 28. Suffering from severe mental difficulties. Threw himself from a bridge after being found fit for work by Atos and failing his appeal.

David Groves, 56. Died of a heart attack the night before taking his work capability assessment. His widow claimed that it was the stress that killed him.

Nicholas Peter Barker, 51. Shot himself after being told his benefits were being stopped. He was unable to work after a brain haemorrhage left him paralysed down one side.

Mark and Helen Mullins, 48 and 59 years old. Forced to live on £57.50 a week and make 12 mile trips each week to get free vegetables to make soup. Mark and Helen both committed suicide.

Richard Sanderson, 44. Unable to find a job and with his housing benefit cut forcing him to move, but with nowhere to go. Richard committed suicide.

Martin Rust, 36 years old. A schizophrenic man who killed himself two months after the government found him fit to work.

Craig Monk, 43. A vulnerable gentleman and a partial amputee who slipped so far into poverty that he hanged himself.

Colin Traynor, 29, and suffering from epilepsy was stripped of his benefits. He appealed. Five weeks after his death his family found he had won his appeal.

Elaine Christian, 57 years old. Worried about her work capability assessment, she was subsequently found at Holderness drain, drowned and with ten self inflicted wrist wounds.

Christelle and Kayjah Pardoe, 32 years and 5 month old. Pregnant, her benefits stopped, Christelle, clutching her baby son jumped from a third floor balcony.

Mark Scott, 46. His DLA and housing benefit stopped and sinking into deep depression, Mark died six weeks later.

Cecilia Burns, 51. Found fit for work while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She died just a few weeks after she won her appeal against the Atos decision.

Chris Cann, 57 years old. Found dead in his home just months after being told he had to undergo a medical assessment to prove he could not work.

Peter Hodgson, 49. Called to JCP to see if he was suitable for volunteer work. Peter had suffered a stroke, a brain haemorrhage and had a fused leg. His appointment letter arrived a few days after he took his own life.

Paul Willcoxsin, 33 years old. Suffered with mental health problems and worried about government cuts. Paul committed suicide by hanging himself.

Stephanie Bottrill, 53. After paying £80 a month for bedroom tax, Stephanie could not afford heating in the winter, and lived on tinned custard. In desperation, she chose to walk in front of a lorry.

Larry Newman suffered from a degenerative lung condition, his weight dropping from 10 to 7 stone. Atos awarded him zero points, he died just three months after submitting his appeal.

Paul Turner, 52 years old. After suffering a heart attack, he was ordered to find a job in February. In April Paul died from ischaemic heart disease.

Christopher Charles Harkness, 39. After finding out that the funding for his care home was being withdrawn, this man who suffered with mental health issues, took his own life.

Sandra Louise Moon, 57. Suffering from a degenerative back condition, depression and increasingly worried about losing her incapacity benefit. Sandra committed suicide by taking an overdose.

Lee Robinson, 39 years old. Took his own life after his housing benefit and council tax were taken away from him.

David Coupe, 57. A Cancer sufferer found fit for work by Atos in 2012. David lost his sight, then his hearing, then his mobility, and then his life.

Michael McNicholas, 34. Severely depressed and a recovering alcoholic. Michael committed suicide after being called in for a Work Capability Assessment by Atos.

Victor Cuff, 59 and suffering from severe depression. Victor hanged himself after the DWP stopped his benefits.

Charles Barden, 74. Charles committed suicide by hanging due to fears that the Bedroom Tax would leave him destitute and unable to cope.

Ian Caress, 43. Suffered multiple health issues and deteriorating eyesight. Ian was found fit for work by Atos, he died ten months later having lost so much weight that his family said that he resembled a concentration camp victim.

Iain Hodge, 30. Suffered from the life threatening illness, Hughes Syndrome. Found fit for work by Atos and benefits stopped, Iain took his own life.

Wayne Grew, 37. Severely depressed due to government cuts and the fear of losing his job, Wayne committed suicide by hanging.

Kevin Bennett, 40. Kevin a sufferer of schizophrenia and mental illness became so depressed after his JSA was stopped that he became a virtual recluse. Kevin was found dead in his flat several months later.

David Elwyn Hughs Harries, 48. A disabled man who could no longer cope after his parents died, could find no help from the government via benefits. David took an overdose as a way out of his solitude.

Denis Jones, 58. A disabled man crushed by the pressures of government cuts, in particular the Bedroom Tax, and unable to survive by himself. Denis was found dead in his flat.

Shaun Pilkington, 58. Unable to cope any more, Shaun shot himself dead after receiving a letter from the DWP informing him that his ESA was being stopped.

Paul ?, 51. Died in a freezing cold flat after his ESA was stopped. Paul appealed the decision and won on the day that he lost his battle to live.

Chris MaGuire, 61. Deeply depressed and incapable of work, Chris was summonsed by Atos for a Work Capability Assessment and deemed fit for work. On appeal, a judge overturned the Atos decision and ordered them to leave him alone for at least a year, which they did not do. In desperation, Chris took his own life, unable to cope anymore.

Peter Duut, a Dutch national with terminal cancer living in the UK for many years found that he was not entitled to benefits unless he was active in the labour market. Peter died leaving his wife destitute, and unable to pay for his funeral.

George Scollen, age unknown. Took his own life after the government closed the Remploy factory he had worked in for 40 years.

Julian Little, 47. Wheelchair bound and suffering from kidney failure, Julian faced the harsh restrictions of the Bedroom Tax and the loss of his essential dialysis room. He died shortly after being ordered to downgrade.

Miss DE, Early 50’s. Suffering from mental illness, this lady committed suicide less than a month after an Atos assessor gave her zero points and declared her fit for work.

Robert Barlow, 47. Suffering from a brain tumour, a heart defect and awaiting a transplant, Robert was deemed fit for work by Atos and his benefits were withdrawn. He died penniless less than two years later.

Carl Joseph Foster-Brown, 58. As a direct consequence of the wholly unjustifiable actions of the Job centre and DWP, this man took his own life.

Martin Hadfield, 20 years old. Disillusioned with the lack of jobs available in this country but too proud to claim benefits. Utterly demoralised, Martin took his own life by hanging himself.

Annette Francis, 30. A mum-of-one suffering from severe mental illness, found dead after her disability benefits were ceased.

Ian Jordan, 60. His benefits slashed after Atos and the DWP declared Ian, a sufferer of Barratt’s Oesophagus, fit for work, caused him to run up massive debts in order to survive. Ian was found dead in his flat after taking an overdose.

Janet McCall, 53. Terminally ill with pulmonary fibrosis and declared ‘Fit for Work’ by Atos and the DWP, this lady died 5 months after her benefits were stopped.

Stuart Holley, 23. A man driven to suicide by the DWP’s incessant pressure and threat of sanctions for not being able to find a job.

Graham Shawcross, 63. A sufferer of the debilitating disease, Addison’s. Died of a heart attack due to the stress of an Atos ‘Fit for Work’ decision.

David Clapson, 59 years old. A diabetic ex-soldier deprived of the means to survive by the DWP and the governments harsh welfare reforms, David died all but penniless, starving and alone, his electricity run out.

Chris Smith, 59. Declared ‘Fit for Work’ by Atos as he lay dying of Cancer in his hospital bed.

Nathan Hartwell, 36, died of heart failure after an 18-month battle with the ­Department for Works and Pensions.

Michael Connolly, 60. A Father of One, increasingly worried about finances after his benefits were cut. Committed suicide by taking 13 times the fatal dose of prescription medicine on the 30th October – His Birthday.

Jan Mandeville, 52, A lady suffering from Fibromyalgia, driven to the point of mental and physical breakdown by this governments welfare reforms. Jan was found dead in her home after battling the DWP for ESA and DLA.

Trevor Drakard, 50 years old. A shy and reserved, severe epileptic who suffered regular and terrifying fits almost his entire life, hounded to suicide by the DWP who threatened to stop his life-line benefits.

Death of a severely disabled Dorset resident, unnamed, who took her own life while battling the bedroom tax.

May their deaths be avenged.

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36 Responses to Read it and weep :-(

  1. Has any progress been made in uncovering how many deaths have resulted from the recent Welfare changes?

    Liked by 1 person

  2. littlewelshdragon says:

    Felt sick reading this list. It’s such a heart-breaking state of affairs that should never have occurred! Just one death as a result of government policy is one death too many, and this is beyond criminal!This list should be on the front page of every major newspaper and the main item on the TV news – the corrupt corporate press, who have turned a blind eye to the suffering that is happening to those of us needing Social Security, are as complicit as those drawing up and implementing these policies!

    Like

  3. Mark Catlin says:

    Reblogged this on markcatlin3695's Blog and commented:
    I am almost, yes almost speechless with a mixture of intense sadness for those pushed to this and rage towards those in and out of Govt who have pushed these people that far in the name of so-called reforms.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Liz J says:

    I’m sorry to say I think my name will be added to that list very soon…after 26 years on Incapacity Benefit now on esa wrag group…aged 61. job centre told dwp i’m in the wrong group but they refuse to change their decision. no quality of life left so not much piont in struggling on to survive. good luck to you all going through the same ‘hell’

    Like

    • Don’t give up Liz…appeal, appeal,appeal and stand up to these bullies X X X

      Liked by 1 person

      • LIZ says:

        Thank U for taking the time to reply…I will Appeal the decision maker..But can no longer rely on CAB as their Appeal failed me so have to go it alone now. But knowing there are sites like your’s to turn to helps–so Thank-You for that X

        Liked by 1 person

      • Liz if I can help at all just let me know. Sending you love, hugs and strength X X X
        Remember, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight it’s the size of the fight in the dog!

        Liked by 1 person

    • Mark Catlin says:

      Liz, please don’t give-up! I understand-believe me just how hard it can be when you feel helpless against these people. Know that you’re not alone and some of us care. Hope you feel better and appeal, appeal appeal.
      There are some great sites/orgs who could offer you advice.
      Turn to us
      Benefits and Work
      Citizens Advice
      To name 3.
      Good luck. M x

      Liked by 1 person

      • LIZ says:

        Thank U Mark for your reply…CAB have appealed on my behalf, but no good. But U have given me the strength to go on..next is a Tribunal…Just that after 26 years on Incapacity it is hard to know what to do next–I’m 61. Contributry based esa has stopped after 365 days–live alone-Didn’t even speak to any 1 by phone or face to face before this decision was made to put me in the WRAG group after 26 years on Incapacity Benefit. It was Job Centre + Cab who said I should be in Support Group.As well as my GP .But Decision maker seems to disagree. Mandatory Reconsideration said they hadn’t changed their mind so it’s got to be a Tribunal now + don’t know if I can go through that…Don’t think I’ll last the length of time before it’s due to come up anyway..But many Thanks for your support..LIZ x

        Liked by 3 people

    • John Kolacz says:

      Liz J, please don’t give up, go here and hopefully they can help you 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/FightBack4Justice

      Liked by 1 person

  5. creatorsnotconsumers says:

    Reblogged this on Creators not Consumers and commented:
    Iain Duncan Smith is still currently refusing to release updated figures for benefits related deaths. This horror must end.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. maria duke says:

    Omg this is heart breaking may you all find peace hope the goverment chokes on their tea after seeing this then again they are too busy laughing at it poor genuine people being penalised for being ill puts things into perspective for me xx

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Angie Smith says:

    These stories are horrific. I too had to join the WRAG, after 22 years on Incapacity. It took 49 weeks of pure hell, to get put into the support group. This year, I will again face the lengthy form filling and writing approx. 40 extra pages – to cover multiple health problems, and then the flawed assessment, appeals etc. I also have DLA assessments this year, and need to move as my studio flat is exacerbating my health issues. I dread every day, wondering what the post will bring from DWP or DLA. I don’t know where I am going to get the energy from to go through these torturous proceedures again. IT’S ABOUT TIME THE BBC PUBLICISED THE TRUTH BEHIND THE TORIES REFORMS. PEOPLE ARE DYING BECAUSE OF THEM.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Hi Angie, so sorry to hear of your troubles. It is a well established fact (at least within the independent media and blogging community) that the welfare “reforms” are not only exacerbating existing medical conditions (which in turn puts a strain on the already stretched NHS )but are as you state causing people to die. The government know this of course; that is why they will not issue death statistics for those deemed fit to work despite repeated Freedom of Information requests (see whatdotheyknow.com). The BBC are the media mouthpeice for the tories, so there is no joy to be obtained from them. The Guardian and the Mirror are about the only mainstream publications who voice any concerns about the treatment of the vulnerable and disabled.
      As regards your situation, make sure you take a look at the excellent DPAC (disabled people against cuts) and Black Triangle who regularly provide information and give assistance to those “in the system”
      You are not alone sweetheart X X X

      Liked by 2 people

    • Elizabeth moon says:

      Hi Angie, I’ve been fighting exactly the same probs with benefits and housing. I found the Benefits And Work guidelines to form filling invaluable. Got put into Support Group first time so give this a go if you can afford the membership. I’ll be thinking of you, sending you supportive vibes. We are a community and that is our strength, all watching out for each other and especially you at this troubling time. Rainbow Finch

      Liked by 2 people

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  9. Gazz says:

    My brother killed himself in May 2012, his second attempt at suicide that year,

    His first attempt was not long after his ATOS medical, which he failed of course, he had severe depression and was a virtual recluse, but they just took his answers to their questions at face value i.e.:
    Can you get out of bed? – yes,
    Can you dress your self? – yes,
    Can you wash your self? – yes,

    But the truth was he hardly ever did any of that due to his depression, apparently it was up to him to point that out and not them to ask any further, despite them having his forms and history telling them he had depression, couldn’t handle awkward situations and was reluctant to talk to people about it.

    So he just answered the questions as shortly as possible as he wanted to get away from the uncomfortable situation he was in at the interview,

    He was found just in time after taking his first overdose, heart stopped in the hospital as they were hooking the monitors up, but they got him back, he spent a month in a mental hospital, where we were all shocked at just how much he had been hiding his problems.

    He got his benefits back plus DLA plus carers allowance and all that upon his release from the hospital thanks to a woman at his local CAB office, she still answered yes to the question he had, but added what was needed to pass the ‘computer says no’ style of tests used…

    He was then seen by a care in the community worker every few days, but as he hated social interaction he began to stop talking to them, so they stopped seeing him, couple of weeks later he took another overdose and succeeded this time.

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Tobanem says:

    TORY BRITAIN 2015

    Although the victim in the following case did not die,he had his toes amputated because of frostbite after being forced to live in a tent in the winter due to the bedroom tax:

    Full report here:

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/bedroom-tax-victim-loses-toes-5593914

    It’s time to amputate the Tories.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Bob Archer says:

    READ THIS AND REMEMBER. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. GET RID OF THE FILTHY SCUM ON MAY 7TH.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Alan Mawdsley says:

    the people responsable should be brought to stand trial for crimes against humanity.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Phill Evans says:

    I drew this in response to this damned list.
    http://imgur.com/x0PRRmW

    Liked by 2 people

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