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Crippled

Austerity and the Demonization of Disabled People

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About this listen

Crippled is a damning indictment of a safety net gone wrong, and a passionate demand for an end to austerity measures hitting those most in need.

In austerity Britain, disabled people have become the favourite target. From social care to the benefits system, politicians and media alike have made the case that Britain's 12 million disabled people are a drain on the public purse. In Crippled, leading commentator Frances Ryan exposes the disturbing reality, telling the story of those most affected by this devastating regime. This includes a paralysed man forced to crawl down the stairs because the council wouldn't provide accessible housing and the young girl with bipolar forced to turn to sex work to survive. Through these personal stories, Ryan charts how in recent years the public attitude towards disabled people has transformed from compassion to contempt: from society's 'most vulnerable' to benefit cheats.

©2019 Frances Ryan (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd Civics & Citizenship Disability Awareness Political Science Politics & Government Social Policy Social Sciences Scary

Critic reviews

"Frances Ryan reminds us what real journalism looks like." (Ken Loach)

"A blistering polemic, full of telling details." (Alice O Keefe, Guardian)

"I wish I could force everyone in the UK to read this book." (Rob Delaney)
All stars
Most relevant
I've come to this volume after listening to a series of 'ear opening' books on the miseries meted out to migrants/ Windrush travellers/ deprived communities. All the same undermining processes of Government demonisation, misrepresentation, economies of truth, lies, deceit and vindictive politics, false economies are used but this time targeting the 'Crippled'. You could easily believe that there's a right wing conspiracy to undermine the provision of social care / health care / workers rights. Beneath all this are the untold hundreds of thousands of individuals and families who endure constant stress and misery as they literally struggle to survive. Riveting and depressing listening. Excellent narration. So sad that a book like this had to be written.

Depressing catalogue of needless misery.

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The book was very educational but not in a boring or tiring way. I liked how the author included disabled people from all walks of life

Brilliant!

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A great number of really.important facts and stories we should all understand, but also a lot of repetition.

Crucial content but a bit long

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It needed writing and Francis Ryan has laid it all bare as to the parlous state the system is in NOT helping people with disabilities live ‘gloriously ordinary lives’. We need to do better! Wake up everyone before you find yourself in this mire yourself Britain.

Stark and informative ☹️

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Reading this should be mandatory for all members of parliament. Hopefully it would wake some of them up to see that toeing the party line and making the wealthy even wealthier (not aimed at any specific party, in my view they are all as bad) and they are there to represent all the people of this once glorious country.

Essential Reading

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