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If she has a terminal illness she can appeal this decision with letters from her neurologist and GP and definitely she will win.

Also please read the Lotus Sutra interpreted by Nichiren Daishonin best English translation by Burton Watson.

- Jod Jones, London, 11/01/2011 15:39
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poor Lisa bless her heart i do hope she gets all her benefits returned and the medical treatment she deserves to get i am disabled but can just about walk and have an heart condition and an injured spine i refused all operations at my hospital because i told them there is people a lot worse than me who desperatly need medical treatment such has people and children suffering with cancer i think they have given up hope of me signing that bit of paper agreeing to an opperation .anyway regarding the DWP i had to ring them one day just to tell them i may be in hospital for a couple of days for heart test the gentleman i spoke to on the phone could not speak clear english and i was finding it very difficult to understand him and he could not understand what i was ringing for and kept asking me to repeat everything, i asked him what his name was and he told me Mohamid i swear he was just taking the micky out of me as i swear i heard him giggle he told me in broken english he would get someone to ring me but they never did 2 days later i got a letter from DWP asking me to tell them how long i would be in hospital because it would effect my Benefits and if i didnt reply they could suspend my benefits i had to ring them again and i asked to speak to an english speaking person who sorted it all out for me it was a very kind young lady who told me they have a lot of problems with Language and that Mohamid should have put me through to someone i could understand WHO IS RUNNING OUR COUNTRY

- Ian.S, Nottinghamshire, 06/10/2010 20:21
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Hi
My son has just had mobility car taken away from him and he is devasated. He had a tumour on spine and had to have 10 hour operation which saved his life but left lasting mobility damage. Beause the surgeon stated in a letter prognosis was good the DWP have taken his car back even after evidence he can hardly walk and after medical evidence that the damage that was done before and after the operation can not be reversed.
Its such injustice.

- Edawrd Fowler, Aberdeen, 12/01/2010 22:52
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Someone who is terminally ill has made the effort to make the most of the time they have by doing something positive for other people. She is raising money for charity and not for personal gain. What sort of message does this send out to young people?

How can this possibly be wrong? I'm sure tax payers would rather there money go to supporting such a brave individual instead of paying for porn and massage chairs for our MP's.

This really needs to be looked into as a matter of urgency as it is totally unacceptable.

- Am, Doha, 12/01/2010 21:52
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".. memory loss, temporary paralysis and is losing her sight, .."

".. car, paid for by the care and mobility scheme."

Hmm..? Something not quite right here. Not sure she should be behind the wheel of a car perhaps. However seems a bit harsh taking all benefits away?

- Frank, Home Counties, England., 12/01/2010 21:52
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Why don't you say what you mean, Rich Davey, instead of insinuating?

When my mother was dying we knew her benefits were being underpaid. They finally paid out the day after her death. Much good that did her. This was a few years ago now but the extra money would have made a considerable difference to her last few months in terms of comfort. This is a problem about as serious as it gets and my heart goes out to Lisa Connell.

- D Woodstock, London, 12/01/2010 21:52
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The below comment from "Rich Davey" has been written under a false name pertaining to be me and was written by a troublemaker with a nonsensical and personal axe to grind against Lisa and her campaign.

Lisa is one of those rare people who inspires and lives for others. Through her campaign she has raised both awareness and funds for brain tumour sufferers when it would be easier for her to sit around doing nothing. I have seen first hand the devastation that Lisa's tumour has put on her life and the idea that she is not entitled to these benefits (which she's paid for herself over many years as a tax payer)is cruel and laughable.

"Rich Davey" should be ashamed of themselves, Lisa has nothing to hide and I fo one am backing her all the way.

- Rich Davy, Essex, UK, 12/01/2010 21:52
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Lisa has my utmost sympathy.I also have a brain tumour and have been receiving treatment for it for the last two years. At the moment I cannot drive, having suffered seizures (you have to be seizure-free for two years before you get your licence back). I'm fortunate enough to have a job at the moment and they have been very supportive towards me and my condition.

Judging someone as ""Fit to Work" is not the same as "Able to find job." A poor sickness record is a real handicap when applying for new jobs, especially something as serious as a tumour. The fact that she has also been told that her symptoms are going to get worse makes it even more difficult.

I think the agency here are taking regulations and guidelines extremely and inappropriately literally. Their decision will save - ooh - maybe enough to get someone's moat clean. It's nice to know where priorities lie.

- Alan, London, UK, 12/01/2010 21:52
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This is disgusting. I am utterly ashamed of this country. I pay my taxes to support people such as Ms Connell. I do not pay my taxes to support any old Tom, Dick or Harry who turns up claiming asylum. Give this lady her money and stop ruining the little time she has left.

- Jc, London, 12/01/2010 21:52
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The problem here is that someone with something as well documented as a brain tumour is a sitting target for the DWP. it's far easier to meet targets trawling through health records than by getting off their backsides to catch the real benefit cheats.

- Paul, London, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I know Lisa and I have to say shes one of the bravest people I know...who just gets on with her life but she has been told she can die at any time..this is totally disgusting....how about cutting off income support for our foreign visitors and giving it to those people that truly deserve it....

- Mandy, Barnet, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I think that the decision made by the DWP is ludricous; just like any terminal illness the sufferer can experience good days as well as bad. How does this decision benefit her quality of life; with all the undue stress will undoubtedly cause.

- Paul Barrett, london, 12/01/2010 21:52
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It sounds like she is putting far more into the system with her charity efforts than she is taking out of it with those benefits. There is something very wrong with our government if they allow this cruel action to go ahead.

- Alice, London, UK, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I have followed Lisa's story and it is one of determination. She has been given THE worst news anyone could imagine and now to have this added worry is ridiculous!!
Hopefully the DWP will reassess the situation and continue the benefits that Lisa needs, although from reading her story, she would prefer not to be in this predicament and need anyway. She is an inspiration and long may she be allowed to continue to shine.

- Chris Straker, Cheam, England, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I find this whole issue a disgrace.

Lisa is a very good friend of mine and I see first hand how she suffers. These people do not see Lisa when she is at her worst - unable to walk, hear and in agony from headaches and crying in pain - all of which makes her family and all of us her friends helpless. Obviously she has her bad days and good days and on her bad I can assure you she wouldn't even be able to walk to her car - let alone drive it!

Lisa works tirelessly for her website and raising money for charity - even when shes at her worst and has us all telling her to rest but she will not raising the profile and money for Brain Tumours is all that matters to her.

She has raised thousands for charity and maybe the so called people who make these judgements want to get off their bums and raise some money for charity....

I hope her situation is looked into and we will do all we can to appeal and get justice.

- Emma, Potters Bar, Herts, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I find it completely unfair, that there are many families out there that "work the system" and have nothing wrong with them apart from lazyness !! Here is a genuine case, where Lisa cannot work and is not being supported. The system is so wrong.

- Carrie Morrow, Potters Bar, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I have recently been introduced to Lisa through my work in PR and although I've yet to meet her personally, she is without doubt one of the most inspiring, upbeat and positive individuals I have come into contact with. Too many people sit on their laurels bemoaning their lot and bludge off the state - Lisa is facing a battle with brain cancer at a very young age but is doing everything in her power to not only fight the cancer but also help others. She deserves all the support she can get.

- Tracey, Warrington, Cheshire, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I too know Lisa and they haven't got this article quite right. When the symptoms of the tumour became serious three years ago, Lisa started to lose her sight and her hearing. Her sight has rectified itself but her hearing hasn't. Lisa is a sensible girl and wouldn’t be driving if her vision was impaired. I think the article needs to say that common symptoms of brain tumours are ear infections and blurred vision and that people should be aware of these signs. Lisa's tumour is now inoperable but if it had been caught 10years ago, when the symptoms started, she may have had a chance of survival or, at the very least, a much longer life. It's so sad and I really admire Lisa for what she is doing. She's had a really hard time coming to terms with it but is now trying to help raise money for brain tumour research with her website www.rentadateforcharity.com so that other people may stand a chance. That’s her life ambition and it keeps her going. I think it's so brave and noble. I for one have to admit that I don't think I could cope if it happened to me. The poor girl doesn't need all this stress. She's scraping by on a tiny amount (which they're now trying to take away) while trying to help others, when she doesn't have much time left. She should be enjoying what time she does have left. I wish I was wealthy and could help her achieve her dreams. Everytime I read her bucket list it makes me laugh and cry http://rentadateforcharityblog.typepad.com/rentadate/lisas-bucket-list.html

- Sarah Sherwood, London, UK, 12/01/2010 21:52
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Now if she'd been a Nigerian failed asylum seeker who we couldn't return because her human rights would be compromised then we would still have to pay all these benefits.

- Adam, Harrow, UK, 12/01/2010 21:52
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Yet another example of the DWP's ineptitude. Skiving cheats are being paid their allowances only to be photographed fit and healthy and in some cases, have been spotted bodybuilding! Millionaires are scamming the tax office, yet it’s the people owing around £1Kthat are having the book thrown at them. Convicted criminals are getting more of a fair deal. It’s an outrage!

- Ally, London, N12, 12/01/2010 21:52
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D. Woodstock, I'm afraid I cant. All I'm saying is maybe people need to question why such an seemedely obvious case of disability is not being given benefits

- Rich Davey, London, 12/01/2010 21:52
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Rich Davy, I can assure you that we may share a similiar name but I think you may be imagining things if I would claim to be you. I dont even spell my name the same way as yourself, nor do I know you. I think you must be mistaking me for someone else

- Rich Davey, London, 12/01/2010 21:52
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oh boy here we go again with this silly country of ours i feel ashamed at the way it treats genuine ill people.
it will only pick on the very ill, let the fakers get away with claming benifits. those of us who have cancer,or have had cancer we have to fight all the way for what we are intitled to .and even then are disrimated against when you do recive a small benifet.god help those people in the benifit office if they ever need benifit.

- Janet Ellen Lavin, EAST FINCHLEY, 12/01/2010 21:52
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Sarah, thanks for the bucket list link, I found that most interesting, in particular some of the things she has already done.

- Rich Davey, London, 12/01/2010 21:52
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lisa has my utmost sypathy. i lost my husband to aggressive brain tumours 5 yrs ago he was only young. even tho he DID get dissability they contacted me a few days after his death and asked me to go down to the dss and pay back the money hed been overpaid due to his death and tried to make me go back to work straight away even tho i was still greiving. lisa should be given all th e help and support she deserves instead of the goverment giving it to people who dont deserve it.

- Jenn, Sheffield, sheffield, 12/01/2010 21:52
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Maybe people need to look behind the headline and think why? All is not what it seems

- Rich Davey, London, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I am the mother of Lisa Connell and I want to thank everyone for all their support and comments. I see firsthand what my daughter has to go through on a daily basis and it is sometimes heartbreaking.

Lisa suffers greatly with headaches and fatigue. This then causes all the other symptoms such as poor balance, dizzy spells, memory loss and at times her speech may become impaired on occasions Lisa has even been admitted to hospital from losing all feeling from her waist down. Lisa will eventually lose all hearing from her left ear and already has lost some feeling down her left side. My daughter continues to work on her laptop around the clock from her home fighting for her campaign for brain tumour awareness. Even though she is up all hours working from her bed and symptomatic she will not stop and no one can persuade her otherwise. My daughter does has good days but you cannot predict how she will feel from one hour to the next.

My daughter has been told by the doctors that have no idea how long she may have left to live it quite literally could be months or even many years. Lisa is spending whatever time she has left to live her life to the full and her main focus is her campaign fighting for others.

I think what the DWP have done it an outrage. We know they are clamping down hard on sickness benefits but clearly my daughter’s case is a valid one!

- Angela Bowler, London, England, 12/01/2010 21:52
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What an awful decision by the DWP. I am lucky to know Lisa and know she is a true fighter and will get through this by her strong determination. I have seen Lisa when she has good days and bad days and know that this decision will cause her a lot of stress and anxiety and will not be good for her health. Why can't these people listen to the professionals who treat us and believe them? She should be allowed to enjoy the rest of her life free from worry.

- Lyn, Kent, 12/01/2010 21:52
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This is so very wrong!!! Give Lisa the benefits that she is so obviously entitled too.

- Claire Murray, London, 12/01/2010 21:52
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Rich Davey, you asked why someone who is in obvious need of benefits is about to have them taken away. This is due to new government testing: http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/latest-news2/201cfit-for-work201d-test-unfit

Lisa is only one of thousands of people who will be affected.

The government is making cuts because of the recession and on this occasion they have got it wrong.

As many people have pointed out, with a brain tumour people have good days and bad days. On her bad days Lisa can't walk, other days she is too tired to get out of bed. On these days she does not drive her car because she can't.

People with brain tumours do not wear signs on their heads, but the fact is they do not have a very long life expectancy.

Glad you enjoyed reading Lisa's bucket list. What Lisa doesn't point out, is that with most of those activities she could only partake for a little while because she was overcome with fatigue, or she suffered from an ear infection (potentially life threatening to Lisa as a strand of her tumour is behind her ear). She had to cut her extra role short on Cemetery Junction because of this. The casting company won't use her again because she is considered a liability.

This is the problem Lisa has, she wants to work but people won't employ her because she is too much of a liability.

Would you give her a job Rich Davey? I know she would be grateful for the opportunity.

- Sarah Sherwood, London, UK, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I met Lisa a couple of years ago when we were highlighting her case in the magazine I worked for. Not only was I amazed at Lisa's courage and strength to deal with an terminal illness at such a young age and with such positivity and a smile, but the fact that she also wanted to campaign to raise money for other people with brain tumors’ was so admirable. To cut Lisa’s menial benefits is an absolute joke, and it makes me ashamed to be part of this backward country, where we seem to be dishing out money to immigrants who have been in the country 5 minutes and spending millions of our tax payers money to MP's expenses!!
Lisa is a hardworking individual dealing with everyday life when she doesn’t know whether it’s her last, and she still has the ‘get up and go’ to campaign all hours of the day to raise money.
The government needs to wake up to reality!!!!

- Marina, London, UK, 12/01/2010 21:52
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Well I have sat here and read the article and arm absolutely stunned by what I have read. Why is it that criminals are compensated for wrong doings and benefits are paid to the undeserving yet this poor lady who obviously deserves all the support she can get is being rejected by the system it beggers belief. Get a grit DWP!!!

- Roni, UK, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I have had 2 brain tumours removed, one at 3 & another at 11. I go for yearly scans, I walk with a tripod as Im very unbalanced like Im drunk. I cant walk very far so I have use of a mobilty car, this lady should be entitled to some benefits but not a mobilty car as she can walk unaided. The DWP should look at her day to day life more closely, NO WONDER THE BENEFIT SYSTEM IS SO BAD

- Aaron Hollingsworth, Ayr, South Ayrshire, 12/01/2010 21:52
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Unfortunately this seems a case of poorly trained doctors and DWP staff. I would normally agree that there is "no smoke without fire" however I work campaigning in this field and the Disabled community has been extremely worried at the short-commings of the new testing regime. If she was assessed on a "good day" than the medical officer hasn't considered the effects of a "bad day". One only has to look at the high volume of appeals that are upheld to see the flaws in the system. For some with terminal illnesses the sad thing is an appeal can find in their favour after they have passed. So they and there loved ones spend the end of life struggling rather than trying to find some quality.

- John Pf Tcell.Org.Uk, London, 12/01/2010 21:52
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I know how depressed this story makes me feel, so what terrible effect must it be having on Lisa Connell and whatever quality of life she does have? I don't know how these stupid situations arise but I hope to goodness the DWP get their act into gear and let the poor woman have some peace of mind. Don't let them grind you down, Lisa!

- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 12/01/2010 21:52
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Again this country embarresses me with its failure to look after its own.. To much protocol, political Correctness and pen pushers running this nanny state. I feel so so sorry for this poor girl who does not need to be treated like this.. Where has common sense gone with the goverments so called guidelines. It makes me so angry, and they wonder why the general public have had enough!! Keep fighting Lisa XXX

- Mick, Essex, 12/01/2010 21:52
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She's better looking than the new Miss England

- Danny, NW5, 12/01/2010 21:52
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