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| Champ: Rider Sophie with gold |
Equestrian Sophie, 25, insists disabled people need more government support, not less.
Outraged Paralympic heroine Sophie Christiansen says the heartless Tory attack on disability benefits is a massive injustice.
In his New Year message yesterday David Cameron defended his plans to drive people off sickness payments, denying that it is cruel to make people get a job.
One million people who receive Disability Living Allowance will have the payments slashed or axed under proposals set out to MPs before their Christmas break.
Cerebral palsy sufferer Sophie, who had the nation in awe as she picked up three golds at the 2012 Games, said the Paralympics has changed views about disabled people but life is still tough for the majority of them.
She added that DLA covers some of the extra costs that the disabled face such as for transport. Campaigners say the cash helps thousands to hold down a job.
Sophie, who received an OBE in the New Year Honours, told the Mirror: “It is hard to get out and get a job. I think the Government is making a big mistake by cutting Disabled Living Allowance because disabled people need that bit of extra support.
“The Government is going about this in the wrong way. Every disabled person is different so they need more one-to-one support.
“And I think that would help them get off benefits and into society to help benefit the whole country.”
Fellow Paralympic rider Lee Pearson launched a blistering attack yesterday on the honours system, saying it is biased against disabled sportsmen and women.
Able-bodied stars such as cyclist Bradley Wiggins and sailor Ben Ainslie were knighted but gutted Lee, 38, missed out on the honour despite collecting his 10th Paralympic gold at London 2012.
The ParalympicsGB ace, who received an MBE in 2001 and a CBE in 2009, fumed: “It’s the discrepancy that p***es me off.”
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