Man born without arms or legs forced to prove he can't work three times a year

Kevin Donnellon, 58, was one of the children affected in the thailidomide tragedy which saw approximately 2,000 babies born with malformed limbs as a side effect of a sedative drug

A man born with out arms or legs has slammed the benefits system after being asked to fill in a 24-page ‘fit-to-work' questionnaire for the third time.

Kevin Donnellon, a Thalidomide survivor, from Crosby, Merseyside was told he needed to full the questionnaire to be able to maintain receiving his advantages.

The 58-year-old was one of round 2,000 infants affected by the morning illness drug Thalidomide.

He told Mirror Online ‘It isn’t like my legs and arms have grown."

The dad-of-two worked hard up until 15 years ago when he began to suffer from back problems from wearing prosthetic legs and complications from type 2 diabetes.

Kevin also has a degree in social sciences and works with adults with learning disabilities.

He said: "My last paid job was 15 years ago. Now I’m not as healthy.

"I’ve got severe backache from the artificial legs I used to wear – they weren’t the fantastic prosthetics you get these days.

"It feels vindictive"

"I’ve also got type 2 diabetes.

“This government seems to have targeted disabled people.

"I have a lot of disabled friends who are terrified when they get these letters they’re going to have benefits taken away.

“Twice in the last year I’ve had to fill in questionnaires. Now I’ve a third, due back on December 25. Merry Christmas.

"It feels vindictive. The questions are intrusive, very personal.

“I was born like this – you’d think my details would be on the system.”

Kevin had to fill out a form for PIP payments to replace his Disability Living Allowance, and two “capability for work” forms for Universal Credit, to replace Employment and Support Allowance.

He said: "I’ve worked in the past, but I can’t do anything full-time. All these cuts are simply cruel."

The DWP said the reassessments were part of the transition from DLA to PIP and those with life-long conditions would then only have “light-touch” 10-year reviews.

A spokesman added: “Mr Don­nellon has been awarded ESA indefinitely following a recent reassessment and the highest rate of PIP with a light-touch review in 10 years.”