Kevin Donnellon, 58, a Thalidomide survivor, was told he has to fill in what he calls “intrusive” 24-page booklets from the Department for Work and Pensions to keep receiving benefits.
The dad-of-two, from Crosby, Merseyside, was one of around 2,000 UK babies affected by the morning sickness drug Thalidomide, fewer than 500 of whom have lived past 50.
Kevin has a degree in social sciences and worked with adults with learning disabilities but his health has been deteriorating.
“My last paid job was 15 years ago. Now I’m not as healthy,” he told the Mirror.
“I’ve got severe backache from the artificial legs I used to wear – they weren’t the fantastic prosthetics you get these days. I’ve also got type 2 diabetes
“Twice in the last year I’ve had to fill in questionnaires. Now I’ve a third, due back on December 25. Merry Christmas.
“It feels vindictive. The questions are intrusive, very personal. I was born like this – you’d think my details would be on the system.”
What was Thalidomide?
Thalidomide was at the centre of one of the biggest drug scandals in history when it was prescribed to pregnant women to combat morning sickness in the late 1950s.
The drug was withdrawn in 1961, after babies often suffered missing or deformed limbs and extreme shortening of arms and legs.
It also caused malformations of the eyes and ears, genitals, heart, kidneys and digestive tract.
When it was made available on the NHS, the drug hadn’t been through the rigorous testing process that all drugs are now subjected to.
In 2010, the government has expressed its “sincere regret” and “deep sympathy” to the victims of the scandal and set up a fund to help victims.
He had to fill out a form for PIP payments to replace his Disability Living Allowance, and two “capability for work” forms for Universal Credit , to replace Employment and Support Allowance.
The DWP said the reassessments were part of the transition from DLA to PIP and those with life-long conditions would then only have “light-touch” 10-year reviews.
A spokesman added: “Mr Donnellon has been awarded ESA indefinitely following a recent reassessment, and the highest rate of PIP with a light-touch review in 10 years.”
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