Crippled

Austerity and the Demonization of Disabled People

By: Frances Ryan

Narrated by: Georgie Morrell

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

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

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)

Good Recording of an Interesting Book

A really interesting but horrifying look at the impact of austerity on the disabled. The author consistently backs up their points with facts and statistics, and cites their sources, while keeping a clear pace and without the book becoming a mere list of numbers. The use of individual cases is, both horrifying in context, and highly effective at getting the reader to understand and empathise with those suffering on the sharp end of austerity. At times the author's political leanings, outside of disability issues, are clearly implied although this is largely confined to the conclusion.

The recording is clear, easy to understand what is being said, and lady speaking has a chrm but expressive voice which suits the tone of the book well.

Depressing catalogue of needless misery.

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.

Brilliant!

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

Crucial content but a bit long

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

An absolute must read.

I would recommend this book to any disabled person who has been affected by the austerity regime in the UK since 2010. I would also recommend this book to any able-bodied person who believes the rhetoric of the Tory government since 2010. this book may change views, everyone should read it.

Essential Reading

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.