Thread by @robwriting

This is my wife, Marjolein, on Dutch reality show @ExpeditieRobRTL in 2004. In a contest between the Netherlands & Belgium she was the last woman (and last Dutch competitor) standing. She fought right to the end. And eventually came 3rd behind two massive Belgian lads.

This is me asking her yesterday if she wanted a salad for lunch. Just after the Dutch govt's @UWVnl took her benefits away. She has #MECFS, a neuro immune disease, & is bedbound. She hasn't been outside for 5 months. She can't look after her own kids. She's in permanent lockdown.

Two years ago she was assessed by @UWVnl for sick pay benefits & deemed fine to work, albeit in a reduced capacity. We disputed this in the courts & lost. No one visited her to see how she lives or to properly understand the realities of this insidious condition.

We asked for a new health assessment bcos she deteriorated & became fully bedbound. It got worse. They removed all of her sick pay benefits. So, we are off to court again. To prove what we know to be true. Her #MECFS condition inhibits her from a normal life.

This is a fight she didn't expect to make. Twice. In the Netherlands. She is not cheating this system. It has made her health worse having to fight u through stress, lack of sleep & anxiety. It's the last thing she thinks about before she goes to bed.

I was going to post about this hopelessly dehumanising benefits process a few weeks ago. I thought maybe I was over-reacting. Maybe we were just unlucky? But then the Dutch govt resigned over a separate scandal involving childcare benefits payments to Dutch families.

It's worth highlighting that ME is a post-viral condition & we are in a horrific pandemic. #LongCovid means many more patients will join this benefits system. Will they all face skepticism & be pushed into the courts to prove their condition exists?

Perversely, I feel quite lucky. We have a roof over our heads, our kids are happy despite living & watching their mum's physical retreat from life. I feel immensely angry for people who are less fortunate than me. Being forced to submit to this cruelty.

How big is this dehumanising culture in NL? Those who are sick & need help should NOT be forced into court to prove themselves. You're making people more sick & harming chances of recovery. She is a strong Dutch woman. Give her a fighting chance & I guarantee she will beat u all.

It's not fair. @markrutte @hugodejonge @PloumenLilianne @jesseklaver @groenlinks @PieterOmtzigt @SPnl @MarijnissenL @Trouw_Opinie @volkskrant @nrc @Jinek_RTL @NOScommunicatie @RTLnieuws @NOS @RinkeNOS @telegraaf @MarcoVisser70 @wkoolmees @tamaravanark @PaulBlokhuis @MEActNet