Dear Jeremy Clarkson

Dear Jeremy Clarkson

This is my letter for showing myself to be thankful for being on benefits 

First of all I’d like to thank the DWP 

for making it so easy to claim 

It really really isn’t degrading or a pain 

supplying copious amounts of evidence 

Or getting my friends to help fill out forms every few years for health conditions that don’t go away or can’t be cured. 

Society its self doesn’t add stigma or prejudice or pressure or any way to claim these monetary benefits.

I love being supported and in no way does it induce any fearful reaction or discomfort or distraction to see articles such as yours Jeremy. It feels great to be treated like a scrounger who is undeserving of a life of disability.

Yes I do have abilities that are prized by society. And have protested against cuts to Pip and other benefits. Which the people of this land of course understand how hard they are to claim. Sometimes PIP is the only thing that allows people who are disabled the adaptions and ability to work.

On a personal note I hear voices and have to mask my autism on a daily basis. I feel my life isn’t worth it sometimes. But I do like to grovel to people like you. Who did it your way and didn’t have to deal with the same situation as mine. 

I know you shine like a beacon to all of those who are not as deserving as yourself.

Yes I have fallen on hard times since 16 and have tried to work part time.

I know society doesn’t make it feel like a crime to live with my struggles. I know in this life so many care about my plight. And know the reality of my fight and struggle.

But when we the disabled people have been forced to live on the streets or are put into institutions and workhouses because of the grace of people like you. And you become disabled yourself and need help which is unlikely I do agree. Maybe you will see life isn’t as easy as you make out.

So thank you to the unpaid carers who support people in my situation. 

Thank you to the NHS staff who or anyone who is kind and willing to help.

Thank you to all the people who improve my quality of life by reading my poetry and writing which is an out let for my dark feelings and thoughts when I am caught feeling melancholic and suicidal. You are all stars shining your bright light on my life.

This wasn’t the life that was advertised

I am surprised

and yet lies

are a belief of some kind

they advertised this life but it has been unkind.

They teased social mobility

the agility to move into the middle class

but aspirations

fall short

they distort

where realised truths stands the door

to the psychiatric ward

where holidays abroad

stand a benefits trap

a DWP map

with no way out

I doubt

I will find a way

into a future a brighter day.

This life isn’t as advertised

through google goggles

through YouTube models

I don’t have a car

three kids and a wife

I have pain and strife

Pessimism is my crutch

no offers or as much

No one gives me a chance at a job

they just call me a benefits slob

I look after my Dad as carer

they swear yeah

even when diagnosed with a serious mental health problem

they think I robbing

tax payers

and no amount of praying

will solve

when the life as advertised dissolves.

ladies Walk

ladies walk on hampshire cultural trust website

Ladies walk by Daniel Hooks

Walking through greenery
Either side
Of a path
Panoramic vision of Andover town
It’s hard to grasp
That I walked here as a child in a school class
With so many questions
the unusual questions children often ask
Now a man knitted together with reason
and a somewhat logical mind
But always we are out of step with time.
I came through here also on that fateful day when I’d lost my mind
Overcome with sadness that I couldn’t leave behind
I nearly did it, I nearly jumped
Off the bridge which stands in the middle
Another ghost ,another suicide
Another tragedy ,another ended waking dream
An ending all too soon…
But I resolved to face my problems
My friend Chris thought I was going to jump
But though the lump in my throat was massive
My soul rode the storm inside my head
Because to be alive is a wonder
Everyday something to learn
And though hot tears may make eyes sore
I will never take anything for granted
Life is what you make it
And it will never be a chore.

Daniel Hooks
Inspired by Ladies Walk, Andover