Disabled woman ‘now able to buy milk’

A DISABLED woman has told how a new payment allowed her to become her own boss, after a council carer refused to go out and buy a pint of milk.

Margaret Cassidy is one of a small number of people receiving a direct payment to buy her own alternative to council-run social care.

Direct payments are one of the key pillars of the Social Care (Self-Directed Support) Bill, which is designed to roll out a new system that is more responsive to individual needs.

Admitting to being nervous about appearing before nine MSPs, Ms Cassidy told how she had to fight to get the direct payment.

“I wanted milk,” she said, “I had this woman to help me, and she said to me: ‘That’s not my job’. I was only asking for a pint of milk.

“We had a falling-out, I told her where the door was, and said ‘don’t come back’.”

She added: “I got the direct payment but I needed to fight for it. It’s been great. I can be my own boss.”

Money previously paid to a social worker, is now paid to employ a more sensitive friend.