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thelace · Jul 29th, 2009, 05:13 AM

This made my blood boil!
Lazy scrounger story here

I can't afford to eat healthily' says £600-a-month benefits woman who weighs 22 stone
By Eleanor Glover
Last updated at 8:40 AM on 29th July 2009
Laura Ripley receives £600 a month in benefits, weighs 22 stone after a gastric sleeve operation, and is deemed fit to work but has no plans to find a job

A 25-year-old unemployed woman who was given an £8,000 operation to help her lose 16 stone is complaining because, as well as her weight loss, her benefits have been reduced.

Laura Ripley, who has never worked, was given the operation on the NHS to help her slim down from 38 to 22 stone. But the 25-year-old, who receives £600 a month in benefits, is unhappy because as a result of losing weight she can no longer claim disability allowance amounting to an extra £340 a month.
This, she says, means she cannot afford to eat healthily - causing her to pile the weight back on.
'I can't afford to buy WeightWatchers crisps and cereal bars any more so I eat Tesco's chocolate bars and packets of Space Invaders crisps, sometimes four of each a day', says Laura, who spends seven hours a day watching TV.
'People ask why I don't snack on an apple - they're cheap, but emotionally I don't always feel like an apple.'
The disability allowance money she used to receive was spent on gym workouts, healthy food and having her hair highlighted.
She adds: 'Without my disability allowance I'm left with just £210 incapacity benefit which I get because of my depression, and £100 income support I receive every two weeks and out of that I have to give them back £70 towards the cost of the £500-a-month flat I'm living in.'
Since the extra allowance stopped Laura has put on a stone in just three weeks and claims she is being treated unfairly.
'It's heartbreaking that after all my hard work losing this weight someone's come along and ruined it.'
Laura has been offered another operation on the NHS, which would normally cost £12,000, to remove the saggy skin left behind after the dramatic weight loss, but only if she sheds a further five stone, and until then she has no plans to find a job.
Morbidly obese: Laura, then aged 15 and weighing 25 stone, snacks on crisps and chocolate because she says she cannot afford healthy food
'I'm not even applying for work at the moment because I'm only going to have to have lots of time off when I have more surgery.'
Speaking from the two-bedroom flat she shares with unemployed boyfriend Simon Hawkins, Laura describes how she was shocked into embarking on the weight loss plan after her mother Doreen died of obesity-related complications on Christmas Eve 2005.
'A doctor told me that unless I lost 20 stone I wouldn't live to see my 25th birthday. He recommended I have a gastric sleeve op.'
Prior to the surgery Laura lost eight and a half stone by cutting out junk food and drinking diet shakes and has since lost a further seven stone after her stomach was shrunk by 75 per cent.
However, without the extra benefits Laura is worried she'll put the weight back on and says she can feel her stomach stretching after binging on the unhealthy snacks.
'I sometimes feel guilty about all the taxpayers' money that's been spent on me but I only want an extra £100 a month, that's all', says Laura.

AudreyII · Jul 29th, 2009, 05:30 AM

Wonder how much she got paid for that article, should be enough to buy a few apples...

"emotionally I don't always feel like an apple".

I would hope not!

Necromancer · Jul 29th, 2009, 05:46 AM

A banana is cheaper that a bag of hot chips, well, at least where I'm from it is.
Some peoples sense of entitlement never ceases to amaze me.

vbskull · Jul 29th, 2009, 05:50 AM

This is ridiculous. I can't believe how lazy and selfish she is. How is an extra 100 going to help her eat healthy?? Oh right she will be able to feel emotionally ready to eat an apple because she can get her hair done and sit on her @ss all day

thelace · Jul 29th, 2009, 06:14 AM

Only in the UK is this sort of scrounging, lazy, sense of entitlement actually rewarded!

FFS, she got the surgery paid for by the NHS! I have no issue with NHS-funded bariatric surgery, but people like her with that stinking attitude, should be fully screened for their suitability beforehand.

Necromancer · Jul 29th, 2009, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by thelace

Only in the UK is this sort of scrounging, lazy, sense of entitlement actually rewarded!

Unfortunately it happens here too. Why, there was a girl just the other day in the news. After 70 jobs, she can't find a job that interests her so that's the reason why she stays on the dole and travels... and of course, she's allowed to. She's just one of many.

Sorry for the hijack.

nataliam1976 · Jul 29th, 2009, 08:35 AM

W-T-F

I cant believe she is for real.

Jahpson · Jul 29th, 2009, 08:40 AM

what is wrong with going to work?

thelace · Jul 29th, 2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Necromancer

Unfortunately it happens here too. Why, there was a girl just the other day in the news. After 70 jobs, she can't find a job that interests her so that's the reason why she stays on the dole and travels... and of course, she's allowed to. She's just one of many.

Sorry for the hijack.

No need for apology. I am pleased to be educated

as I had no idea it happens in your country too. Thought it was just in the good old UK that lazy b**tards are allowed to take the pi** so flagrantly

ayla · Jul 29th, 2009, 10:27 AM

Egads.. how bout stop eating crisps, full stop !

bagaholic85 · Jul 29th, 2009, 11:13 AM

*sigh*

Swtest2Lips · Jul 29th, 2009, 05:26 PM

Wow...the nerve

MACsarah · Jul 29th, 2009, 05:38 PM

Canned vegtables anyone?

KarraAnn · Jul 29th, 2009, 08:29 PM

Does anyone know how many pounds equals 1 stone??

JSH812 · Jul 29th, 2009, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by KarraAnn

Does anyone know how many pounds equals 1 stone??

14lbs equals 1 stone --- it was a question on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire last week

Jul 29th, 2009, 05:13 AM	#1
thelace OP Founder of B.U.M. Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Winchester, England Posts: 966	Complains she's no longer entitled to Disability Benefits after weightloss surgery This made my blood boil! Lazy scrounger story here I can't afford to eat healthily' says £600-a-month benefits woman who weighs 22 stone By Eleanor Glover Last updated at 8:40 AM on 29th July 2009 Laura Ripley receives £600 a month in benefits, weighs 22 stone after a gastric sleeve operation, and is deemed fit to work but has no plans to find a job A 25-year-old unemployed woman who was given an £8,000 operation to help her lose 16 stone is complaining because, as well as her weight loss, her benefits have been reduced. Laura Ripley, who has never worked, was given the operation on the NHS to help her slim down from 38 to 22 stone. But the 25-year-old, who receives £600 a month in benefits, is unhappy because as a result of losing weight she can no longer claim disability allowance amounting to an extra £340 a month. This, she says, means she cannot afford to eat healthily - causing her to pile the weight back on. 'I can't afford to buy WeightWatchers crisps and cereal bars any more so I eat Tesco's chocolate bars and packets of Space Invaders crisps, sometimes four of each a day', says Laura, who spends seven hours a day watching TV. 'People ask why I don't snack on an apple - they're cheap, but emotionally I don't always feel like an apple.' The disability allowance money she used to receive was spent on gym workouts, healthy food and having her hair highlighted. She adds: 'Without my disability allowance I'm left with just £210 incapacity benefit which I get because of my depression, and £100 income support I receive every two weeks and out of that I have to give them back £70 towards the cost of the £500-a-month flat I'm living in.' Since the extra allowance stopped Laura has put on a stone in just three weeks and claims she is being treated unfairly. 'It's heartbreaking that after all my hard work losing this weight someone's come along and ruined it.' Laura has been offered another operation on the NHS, which would normally cost £12,000, to remove the saggy skin left behind after the dramatic weight loss, but only if she sheds a further five stone, and until then she has no plans to find a job. Morbidly obese: Laura, then aged 15 and weighing 25 stone, snacks on crisps and chocolate because she says she cannot afford healthy food 'I'm not even applying for work at the moment because I'm only going to have to have lots of time off when I have more surgery.' Speaking from the two-bedroom flat she shares with unemployed boyfriend Simon Hawkins, Laura describes how she was shocked into embarking on the weight loss plan after her mother Doreen died of obesity-related complications on Christmas Eve 2005. 'A doctor told me that unless I lost 20 stone I wouldn't live to see my 25th birthday. He recommended I have a gastric sleeve op.' Prior to the surgery Laura lost eight and a half stone by cutting out junk food and drinking diet shakes and has since lost a further seven stone after her stomach was shrunk by 75 per cent. However, without the extra benefits Laura is worried she'll put the weight back on and says she can feel her stomach stretching after binging on the unhealthy snacks. 'I sometimes feel guilty about all the taxpayers' money that's been spent on me but I only want an extra £100 a month, that's all', says Laura.
	__________________ Brits Using Muscade

Jul 29th, 2009, 05:30 AM	#2
AudreyII Quite contrary Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Stoneybridge Posts: 2,484	Wonder how much she got paid for that article, should be enough to buy a few apples... "emotionally I don't always feel like an apple". I would hope not!
	__________________ Oooooh, I love a bit of cake Insanity runs in my family, it practically gallops!

Jul 29th, 2009, 05:50 AM	#4
vbskull Window Shopper Joined: Oct 2006 Location: England Posts: 2,018	This is ridiculous. I can't believe how lazy and selfish she is. How is an extra 100 going to help her eat healthy?? Oh right she will be able to feel emotionally ready to eat an apple because she can get her hair done and sit on her @ss all day
	__________________ I LOVE MY BBAGS !!! Current Collection: 04 Black First 06 Emerald First 07 Black City LV Mono Speedy 25

Jul 29th, 2009, 06:14 AM	#5
thelace OP Founder of B.U.M. Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Winchester, England Posts: 966	Only in the UK is this sort of scrounging, lazy, sense of entitlement actually rewarded! FFS, she got the surgery paid for by the NHS! I have no issue with NHS-funded bariatric surgery, but people like her with that stinking attitude, should be fully screened for their suitability beforehand.
	__________________ Brits Using Muscade

Jul 29th, 2009, 08:35 AM	#7
nataliam1976 Dior Goddess:-) Joined: Nov 2006 Location: all around Europe Posts: 12,701	W-T-F I cant believe she is for real.
	__________________ PLEASE DO NOT PM ME FOR AUTHENTICATIONS Dear Dior fans ! >>> PLEASE READ THIS: Some guidelines/tips on authentication <<< before you post - if you dont provide REQUIRED PICTURES - especially clear close up of the front and back of the inside tag, your posts will not be replied to, thanks ! Last edited by nataliam1976; Jul 29th, 2009 at 08:40 AM.

Jul 29th, 2009, 05:46 AM	#3
Necromancer Member Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 3,439	A banana is cheaper that a bag of hot chips, well, at least where I'm from it is. Some peoples sense of entitlement never ceases to amaze me.

Jul 29th, 2009, 08:40 AM	#8
Jahpson Member Joined: Aug 2007 Location: The Playground Posts: 22,368	what is wrong with going to work?
	__________________ Michael Joseph Jackson 1958-2009

Jul 29th, 2009, 10:27 AM	#10
ayla Gangsta Luv♥ Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 21,246	Egads.. how bout stop eating crisps, full stop !
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Jul 29th, 2009, 11:13 AM	#11
bagaholic85 Member Joined: Sep 2007 Location: i <3 ny Posts: 5,084	sigh

Jul 29th, 2009, 05:26 PM	#12
Swtest2Lips ♥ Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,832	Wow...the nerve
Swtest2Lips ♥ Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,832	__________________ My new Beauty blog! http://www.swtest2lips.com

Jul 29th, 2009, 05:38 PM	#13
MACsarah Because I want it. Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Where dreams come true. Posts: 4,926	Canned vegtables anyone?

Jul 29th, 2009, 08:29 PM	#14
KarraAnn Member Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 323	Does anyone know how many pounds equals 1 stone??
KarraAnn Member Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 323

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