title: “It Could Be You: Why Disability Isn’t a Choice, and Why We Deserve Better”
date: 2025-10-24
author: Forgotten Rights
featured_image: /images/disabled-protest-london.jpg
featured_image_caption: “Disabled activists gather in London, holding signs reading ‘Cuts Kill’ and ‘We Are People Too.’”
meta_description: “Disability isn’t rare — it can happen to anyone. Yet Britain treats the sick and disabled as expendable. We are people too, and we deserve dignity, not suspicion.”
tags: [disability rights, austerity, chronic illness, equality, uk politics, dwp]
It Could Be You: Why Disability Isn’t a Choice, and Why We Deserve Better
There’s a hard truth most people don’t want to face: anyone can become sick or disabled at any time.
No matter how fit you are, how young, how stable your job is — one diagnosis, one accident, one moment can change everything.
Disability isn’t something that only happens to “other people.”
It isn’t rare, it isn’t distant, and it isn’t a failure. It’s a part of life — a very human part — and it can happen to you.
So why, in one of the richest countries in the world, are disabled and chronically ill people still treated like a burden?
Why are we forced to fight for basic dignity, as though existing with illness somehow makes us less human?
The Illusion of Safety
Most people live under the comforting illusion that bad things happen to someone else.
That’s not cruelty — it’s fear. It’s the mind’s way of keeping the world manageable.
You tell yourself, “That won’t be me.”
You read stories about people on benefits, about the DWP, about care cuts, and think, “I’d cope differently.”
You scroll past videos of disabled activists talking about poverty or neglect, and tell yourself, “That’s tragic, but I’m okay.”
Until you’re not.
Until the migraine doesn’t go away.
Until your back injury doesn’t heal.
Until the fatigue becomes constant, the pain unpredictable, the appointments endless.
Until you realise you’re one bad fall, one infection, one crash away from being on the other side of the system.
And when that day comes — you’ll see what we see: how thin the line really is between comfort and survival, between “taxpayer” and “scrounger,” between “normal” and “forgotten.”
The Myth of the “Deserving” and “Undeserving” Disabled
We’re told there are two kinds of disabled people. The “good” ones — the inspirational stories, the Paralympians, the ones who smile on charity posters.
And then there are the “bad” ones — the ones who claim benefits, who don’t “look disabled,” who are accused of faking, who get blamed for the deficit.
This division is deliberate. It lets society celebrate disability when it’s convenient, and punish it when it’s not.
But here’s the truth: there’s no such thing as the “good disabled person.” There’s just people — human beings trying to live, work, and survive in bodies that sometimes don’t cooperate.
We don’t owe inspiration.
We don’t owe gratitude for being allowed to exist.
We don’t owe anyone proof of our pain.
We deserve respect simply because we are people.
When the System Decides You’re Worth Less
The day you become disabled in Britain, you don’t just lose health — you lose credibility.
Suddenly, you have to prove your suffering to strangers with clipboards. You have to justify your right to food, to warmth, to independence.
You get letters with words like “capability assessment,” “fit for work,” “review of eligibility.”
And no matter how many reports or hospital letters you send, the assumption is that you’re lying until proven otherwise.
It’s exhausting. It’s dehumanising. And it’s unnecessary.
When a government treats disabled people as data points rather than citizens, what message does that send? That our lives are negotiable? That our worth depends on productivity?
They talk about “support,” but what they really mean is surveillance.
They call it “help,” but it’s a system built on suspicion.
The Loneliness of Being Othered
One of the hardest parts of becoming sick or disabled isn’t the pain — it’s the way people vanish.
Friends stop calling. Workmates drift away. Even family members can pull back because they don’t know what to say.
You become a mirror people don’t want to look into. You remind them of their own fragility.
So you start shrinking — apologising for existing, for needing help, for taking up space.
You hear the little digs: “Must be nice not to have to work.”
You see the looks in shops when you use a mobility aid but still smile.
You feel the judgment when you park in a disabled bay and walk a few steps unaided.
And slowly, invisibly, society teaches you that you’re not quite human anymore — you’re a problem to be managed.
We Are Not Statistics
Politicians talk about “cost” and “burden” as if we’re line items on a budget sheet.
But we’re not numbers. We’re people with stories, relationships, and dreams that don’t vanish just because our bodies changed.
The person with MS who still writes poetry.
The autistic man who volunteers at the food bank.
The woman with chronic pain who runs a support group from her sofa.
The teenager on dialysis revising for exams.
We live. We love. We contribute — often while the world tells us we don’t.
And yet, every new policy seems designed to remind us that our lives are worth less in the eyes of the state.
Sickness Is Not a Moral Failure
Being ill isn’t a personal flaw. It’s not laziness, weakness, or punishment.
Bodies fail. Minds break. It’s part of being human.
But we live in a culture obsessed with productivity — where your worth is tied to your output.
So when you can’t work, or can’t work “enough,” society turns on you.
We get told to “try harder,” to “think positive,” to “push through.”
But no amount of positivity cures degenerative illness.
No grit in the world rebuilds a broken spine.
What we need isn’t toxic optimism — it’s justice.
We need a country that sees value in being, not just doing.
If It Happened to You Tomorrow…
Imagine waking up tomorrow and your legs won’t move.
You’re rushed to hospital, tested, scanned, diagnosed. Suddenly your job, your rent, your routine — all gone.
You apply for disability benefits, but the forms are confusing, the waits endless. You’re told to live on £80 a week.
Your savings drain away. The heating bill arrives. Your landlord threatens eviction.
You call your MP — they send a stock reply.
You look in the mirror and wonder if you’re still the same person.
This is the reality millions of us live every single day.
Not because we failed — but because the system does.
Solidarity Over Sympathy
We don’t need pity. We need solidarity.
Sympathy says, “That’s so sad.”
Solidarity says, “That’s unacceptable — let’s change it.”
The difference matters.
Because the truth is, disability is the one identity that cuts across every line — class, race, gender, background. Anyone can join this community at any time.
And when that happens, you’ll want a world that doesn’t treat you as expendable.
You’ll want accessible housing.
You’ll want fair benefits.
You’ll want to be believed.
You’ll want compassion — not suspicion.
That’s what we’re fighting for. Not special treatment — equal treatment.
We Deserve a World Built for Us, Too
Accessibility isn’t charity. It’s freedom.
Disability rights aren’t “extras.” They’re human rights.
A ramp, a caption, a flexible job, a fair assessment — these things don’t just help disabled people; they make society better for everyone.
Because accessibility isn’t about making space for a few — it’s about recognising that all of us will need help at some point.
Every person who grows old, gets injured, or faces illness will benefit from the things we fight for today.
That’s the point. This fight isn’t just ours. It’s everyone’s.
We Are People, Too
Behind every headline about “benefit reform” is someone like me. Someone like you might one day be.
We’re not abstract. We’re not drains. We’re your neighbours, your family, your future selves.
We laugh. We swear. We cook dinner, binge shows, fall in love.
We exist — and that should be enough to earn respect.
So stop calling us inspirational just for surviving a world that wasn’t built for us.
Start calling out the system that keeps making us prove our humanity.
Because we are people, too. And we’re tired of being treated like we’re anything less.
A Final Thought
Maybe you’ll never need a wheelchair.
Maybe you’ll never live with chronic pain or fight the DWP.
Maybe you’ll stay lucky. I hope you do.
But if the day ever comes when your health fails you, I promise you this:
You’ll want a society that sees your worth — not your cost.
You’ll want understanding, not suspicion.
You’ll want what we all deserve — dignity.
So don’t wait until you’re one of us to care about us.
Because one day, without warning, you could be.
Charities We Support
Support Forgotten Rights – Copy & Paste Affiliate Banners
Pick a banner you like, copy the code, and paste it into your WordPress post, page, or widget.
Privacy & Accessibility Policy
Last updated: 29 October 2025
Forgotten Rights (“we”, “our”, “the site”) is committed to protecting your privacy and making this website accessible to everyone. This page explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the rights you have under UK data-protection law.
1. Who We Are
Forgotten Rights is an independent UK blog highlighting the treatment of sick and disabled people under government policy.
Contact email: forgottenrightsblog[at]gmail.com (replace [at] with @)
2. What Personal Data We Collect
We collect only the data necessary to operate this blog and respond to enquiries, including:
- Information you provide voluntarily (name, email address, and message content) through the contact form or email.
- Technical information such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited — collected automatically through cookies and analytics tools.
- Comments or form submissions left on posts (if enabled).
We do not request or store sensitive information such as National Insurance numbers, medical records, or payment card details.
3. How We Use Your Data
- To reply to messages or enquiries you send us.
- To monitor and improve website performance and security.
- To manage comments, prevent spam, and maintain community safety.
- To meet our legal obligations under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information.
4. Legal Basis for Processing
We rely on the following lawful bases under Article 6 of the UK GDPR:
- Consent: when you contact us or accept cookies.
- Legitimate Interest: to maintain and secure our website.
- Legal Obligation: when required to cooperate with lawful requests.
5. Data Retention
We keep correspondence only as long as needed to reply or resolve your query. Analytics data is retained in aggregated form only. You can request deletion of any personal information by emailing us at the address above.
6. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Request correction or deletion of that data.
- Withdraw consent at any time.
- Complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe your data has been mishandled.
7. Cookies and Analytics
This site uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to ensure functionality and gather anonymous usage statistics. By continuing to browse, you agree to our use of cookies.
Types of cookies used:
- Essential cookies: required for core features such as navigation and comment submission.
- Analytics cookies: e.g. Google Analytics or Jetpack Stats, to help us understand which posts are most read and improve accessibility.
You can disable cookies through your browser settings or refuse non-essential cookies using our on-screen banner.
For information on managing cookies, visit AboutCookies.org.
8. Third-Party Services
We may use reputable third-party tools that process limited data on our behalf:
- WordPress.com / Automattic – hosting and security.
- Google Analytics – anonymised traffic analysis.
- Ko-fi / Patreon – voluntary donations; handled through their secure platforms.
- Mailchimp (if newsletters are enabled) – email subscription management.
Each provider has its own privacy policy and complies with UK GDPR or international adequacy standards.
9. Accessibility Commitment
Forgotten Rights aims to be usable by everyone. We follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) wherever possible. Our site supports screen readers, keyboard navigation, and text resizing.
If you experience any accessibility issues, please email us at [email protected] and we’ll do our best to fix them promptly.
10. Children’s Privacy
This website is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 16. If you believe a child has submitted information, please contact us to remove it.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy periodically. Any significant changes will be noted at the top of this page with the revised date. Continued use of the site indicates acceptance of the updated policy.
12. Contact
Questions about this Privacy & Accessibility Policy can be sent to:
Email: forgottenrightsblog[at]gmail.com (replace [at] with @)
Location: United Kingdom
We take your privacy seriously and will respond as soon as possible.
— title: “Disclaimer & Legal Notice” slug: disclaimer date: 2025-10-29 —Disclaimer & Legal Notice
Last updated: 29 October 2025
Forgotten Rights is an independent UK-based blog dedicated to highlighting the treatment of sick and disabled people, government policy, and social justice issues. All opinions expressed are those of the author(s) unless stated otherwise.
1. General Information Only
The content published on Forgotten Rights is provided for general information and discussion purposes only. It reflects personal views, lived experiences, and public reporting on UK disability and welfare issues.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal, medical, or financial advice. Readers should always seek independent professional guidance before acting on any information contained here.
2. Accuracy of Information
We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our posts at the time of publication, using trusted news outlets, government documents, and verified data sources. However, policies and regulations can change without notice. We cannot guarantee that all information remains current, complete, or error-free.
Forgotten Rights assumes no responsibility for loss, harm, or damage arising from reliance on material published on this site.
3. External Links
Our articles often link to external websites for reference, context, or additional reading. These links are provided for convenience only. We do not control or endorse the content, privacy practices, or accessibility of third-party sites.
Visiting external links is at your own discretion and risk. We are not liable for any issues that arise from third-party websites.
4. User Contributions & Comments
Comments (if enabled) are moderated to maintain a respectful environment. We reserve the right to edit or remove comments that contain discrimination, hate speech, spam, or defamation.
By submitting a comment or message, you grant us a non-exclusive licence to display, reproduce, and moderate that content on our site. Do not post personal, medical, or confidential information that you would not wish to appear publicly.
5. Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise credited, all original text, graphics, and images on Forgotten Rights are © 2025 Forgotten Rights. You may quote short excerpts for non-commercial use provided you give full attribution and a working link to the original article.
Content may not be republished, sold, or substantially reproduced without written permission from the author(s).
If you believe your intellectual property has been used on this site without permission, please contact us at forgottenrightsblog[at]gmail.com and we will investigate immediately.
6. Donations & Affiliate Links
Forgotten Rights may include voluntary donation links via Ko-fi or Patreon to support our independent journalism. These platforms are operated by third parties under their own terms and privacy policies.
We do not collect or store any payment information ourselves. Any contribution made is entirely voluntary and non-refundable.
7. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Forgotten Rights and its authors disclaim all liability for damages or losses arising from use of this website or reliance on any information provided herein.
This disclaimer applies to all forms of liability, including negligence, except where excluded by UK consumer or data-protection law.
8. Governing Law
This website is operated from the United Kingdom. Any disputes arising from or relating to the use of this site will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
9. Accessibility Statement
We aim to ensure that all content on Forgotten Rights is accessible to every reader. If you experience difficulty accessing our articles, please email [email protected] so we can improve your experience.
10. Contact
Questions regarding this Disclaimer & Legal Notice can be sent to:
Email: forgottenrightsblog[at]gmail.com (replace [at] with @)
Location: United Kingdom
By using this website, you agree to this Disclaimer & Legal Notice.
— title: “Terms of Use” slug: terms-of-use date: 2025-10-30 —Terms of Use
Last updated: 30 October 2025
Welcome to Forgotten Rights — an independent UK blog highlighting issues affecting sick and disabled people under government policy. By using this website, you agree to comply with and be bound by the following Terms of Use. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not use this site.
1. Acceptance of Terms
Your access to and use of Forgotten Rights (the “Site”) constitutes your acceptance of these Terms, our Privacy & Accessibility Policy, and our Disclaimer & Legal Notice. These may be updated at any time without prior notice.
2. Purpose of the Site
This website provides news commentary, personal opinion, and analysis relating to disability rights, welfare policy, and social justice. It is intended for informational and discussion purposes only. It does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice.
3. Use of Content
All original articles, text, graphics, and images are © 2025 Forgotten Rights unless otherwise stated.
- You may quote short excerpts for non-commercial purposes with full attribution and a visible link back to the original post.
- You may not reproduce, republish, or distribute our content in full without written permission.
- Commercial or media use requires prior consent from the author(s).
Where we share external images, press excerpts, or data, copyright remains with the original creators under fair-use exceptions for reporting and commentary.
4. User Conduct
When interacting with this website (via comments, forms, or emails), you agree that you will not:
- Post defamatory, discriminatory, or abusive material.
- Upload or share content that violates any law or third-party rights.
- Attempt to hack, disrupt, or damage the website or its infrastructure.
We reserve the right to remove or block any comments or users who breach these terms.
5. Donations and Support
Forgotten Rights may include voluntary donation links (e.g. Ko-fi or Patreon) to help fund our independent journalism. These are entirely optional and processed securely through third-party platforms under their own terms and privacy policies.
We do not store or process any payment information directly. All contributions are considered voluntary and non-refundable.
6. External Links
This website contains links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their content, accuracy, or privacy practices. Following external links is at your own risk.
7. Data Protection
Your privacy is governed by our Privacy & Accessibility Policy. By using this site, you consent to the collection and use of data in accordance with that policy.
8. Accessibility
We are committed to making Forgotten Rights accessible to all users. If you experience barriers, please contact us at [email protected] and we will do our best to resolve them.
9. Disclaimer of Warranties
All information on this website is provided “as is” and without warranties of any kind. We make no representations about the accuracy or completeness of the content and accept no liability for errors or omissions.
10. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by UK law, Forgotten Rights and its authors will not be liable for any damages arising from the use or inability to use this website or reliance on any information provided herein.
11. Governing Law
These Terms of Use are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
12. Changes to These Terms
We may revise these Terms of Use periodically. The updated version will be published on this page with the date of revision at the top. Continued use of the site after any changes means you accept those changes.
13. Contact
Questions about these Terms of Use can be sent to:
Email: forgottenrightsblog[at]gmail.com (replace [at] with @)
Location: United Kingdom
By continuing to use this website, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms of Use.