EXCLUSIVE Kevin Donnellon has had to fill in three ‘fit to work’ questionnaires for the Department of Work and Pensions this year – despite having been born without limbs due to thalidomide
A man born with no arms or legs has blasted cruel benefits cuts after being asked to fill in a fitness-to-work questionnaire for the third time this year.
Thalidomide survivor Kevin Donnellon, 58, has had to complete “intrusive” 24-page booklets from the Department for Work and Pensions in order to keep receiving benefits.
Kevin said: “It’s not like my arms and legs have grown.”
The dad-of-two was one of around 2,000 UK babies affected by the morning sickness drug Thalidomide.
Fewer than 500 have lived past 50.
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Kevin has battled to live as normal a life as he can, getting a degree in social sciences and working with adults with learning disabilities.
But he is fighting deteriorating health.
He said: “My last paid job was 15 years ago. Now I’m not as healthy.
“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.
“This government seems to have targeted disabled people.
“I have a lot of disabled friends who are terrified when they get these letters they’re going to have benefits taken away.
“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.”
