In light of recent Budget announcements, many members of the British public have taken to social media to voice their fury over innumerable decisions made by the Government, but it looks like one particular post has stood out from all the rest.
Lydia Scott, who suffers from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Pain Amplification Syndrome and Hyper-mobility Syndrome, wrote a letter to David Cameron earlier this month which since last week's announcement has gained considerable traction online.
Voicing her outrage over cuts to disability benefits, the 18-year-old questioned the validity of the Government's motivation in a letter which has struck a chord with people around the country and has the support of her father, Greg Scott, who has urged the public to share his daughter's message "like crazy" in an effort to effect change.
"The Government says the cut will incentivise disable people to find work. Does anyone understand how absolutely fuming that makes me?" she began in a letter which has been shared over 7,000 times online.
"I am unable to work because my condition means I am unable to stand for long periods of time but also means I am unable to sit for long periods of time. I cannot walk for long periods of time, but at the same time I cannot stand in one place for long periods of time," she explained.
"On a good day, I can walk around town for a bit. Maybe go on a very rare night out. But I will then pay for doing these things by being housebound for the next week, being left in pure agony, wishing I'd never bothered trying to be a normal teenager."
After highlighting the various ailments with which she is afflicted, Lydia expressed outrage over the Government's suggestion that cutting her ESA payment may motivate her to source and secure work, venting:"It's as if they're calling me lazy. As if I choose to be like this."
"I am one of the most ambitious people you will ever meet. I am desperately trying to think of ways to make money independently, but instead I'm being called lazy for having a body that just plain doesn't work," she continued.
Concluding the powerful letter with an incredibly disheartening prophecy, Lydia finished: "Once the Tories have privatised the NHS, my life will basically be over. Well done, Cameron."
Speaking to The Independent, Lydia said: "I cannot stress enough that if I could think of ANYTHING I could do to earn a reasonable living, I would do it. But my body simply will not allow it."
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