Published on 12, July, 2020
Kemi Badenoch says autistic children do not get “better treatment or equipment at school”. Tell that to my autistic son who comes home and breaks down each night from the strain of going to school and is almost unable to leave the house at weekends from exhaustion.
She says autistic adults receive “economic advantages and protections” at work and in society. No we don't. I have had over 40 jobs in the last 15 years and almost every single one has led to a breakdown or burnout due to trying to survive in a workplace not designed for my needs.
Each time I try to heal and pick myself up and go again to the next job because I know there is no other alternative. because process to claim PIP or other disability benefits for me or my son is nearly impossible.
The worst thing about Kemi's thoughtlessness is it will feed into the stereotypes and misconceptions that so many people already have about autistic people in this country. There will be so many reactionary idiots reading that today and nodding their heads and saying "oh finally someone's saying it". Her words will make this country an even more inhospitable, understanding place for autistic people than it already is. We already know we're not welcome, we don't need a potential future Prime Minister saying it
I am somebody who is genrally from 'the right', but also has some very left wing liberal ideas, this is just preaching to the converted. I was not diagnosed until I was 50, I have had zero help all my life and am now totally burnt out at 54. Mainstream parties, particually the Tories, expect everybody to work to make money for the rich. The though of poor, or disabled, people getting something better than somebody normal drives lots of hatred amoung Tories. They will hate me soon as I am going to be economically inactive for 6 months to try and recover from burnout. Just being made to go to work is enough for many of us. I know somebody with ASD that has an very,very well paid career but suffers for it. While I have never had anything more than a basic job amd even that is too much for me know.
Rob
You've done well to keep going for so long. You shouldn't feel bad for eventually reaching a point of economic inactivity. I'm on the cusp of the same age 39, though family circumstance won't allow it.
I've always been conservative-leaning, valuing stoicism and personal responsibility, but Kemi's words and rhetoric aren't helpful. Those genuinely in need of compassion and support, for whatever reason, should get it