Just one moment please...

My masters project is based on finding ways of representing experiences of chronic illness in a visual way. This Illustration explores the frustrations people face in trying to access the support they need to manage their chronic conditions.

The last few months I have been working with Linda Mcleod, who runs the BreatheEasy group in Alloa. She is incredibly inspiring and a great advocate for political change to help people who have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). She highlighted to me how people with COPD can find it particularly hard to receive the support they need as their condition is somewhat 'invisible'. This illustration explores the element of chance that seems to be inherent in the assessment of cases from bodies like ATOS, as well as the  endless cycle of phone calls and paperwork which people have to wade through in order to access support.  Sufferers of chronic conditions can feel like then are constantly have to 'prove themselves' to receive even the most basic help.

More information about the challenges people face in accessing DLA can be found here.