In spite of the true story of retinal detachment, the goal of this piece wasn't simply to raise awareness of the condition. Instead, it was to shed light on how little is done to help those unable to work due to illness or emergency surgery. Many people don't have access to sick pay or disability benefits, leaving them unable to cover their basic needs while they are out of work. This lack of financial security can be devastating, and it is a burden that should not be borne by those who are already suffering.

The UK's Statutory Sick Pay system was introduced in 1992. It is set out in the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (SSCBA 1992) and the Statutory Sick Pay (General) Regulations 1982 (SSP Regulations 1982).

According to an article by The TUC "Currently those in work earning less than the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) of £118 do not qualify for SSP or any financial support from their employer. Women, those in insecure work, and younger and older workers are most likely to miss out. " This means that those in low-paid and insecure work are left to fend for themselves in the event of illness or injury. This further compounds their economic insecurity and leads to more people being unable to make ends meet. It is clear that action needs to be taken to ensure that everyone is adequately supported in times of need.

The article also states that of the UK’s 32.5 million-strong workforce, 5.6 million people (17.2%) do not currently qualify for SSP. This is a shocking statistic that highlights the need for reform. The current system is not providing enough support to those who need it and is leaving too many people behind. We need a way to ensure that everyone has enough to live on.

This is a list of recommendations that the TUC has for the Government to create a more modern and flexible sick pay system.

What's in a name?

When developing this audio experience, one question I was most frequently asked was why I chose the name Vegan Midget Gems. I originally titled the piece 'Blind' due to the nature of the story and my intention to blindfold the audience.  According to an article by the BBC "The term 'midget gems' was popularised during the Victorian freak show, where many disabled people, including people with dwarfism, were oppressed" (BBC, 2022). To further illustrate the themes of oppression within this piece, I included this term in my title as opposed to the more commonly used 'Mini'.

After conducting an interview with Tracy Atkinson, she mentioned the aforementioned sweets in response to the question, "What help did you receive during this time?". The 'time' in question is her recovery period following the retinal detachment.  This mention of 75pence sweets in a question about help spoke to me particularly. It made me realize how little help she must have received to place them so high on her list. The 75pence sweets are like a ray of sunshine in a dark and difficult period. While they are not necessarily meaningful in their own right, they take on great significance in her experience, showing the depths of her need for help.

It was at that point that I decided to include them in the experience. As well as naming the show after them, I gave each audience member a bag of these sweets during the show that they could choose to consume. This added element of touch also heightened the experience and shed light on Tracy Atkinson's struggles.

Incorporating food into the theatre experience was a creative way to bring the audience members into the show. It gave them a tangible connection to the story, and it also created a sense of unity among the audience members. As the famous Italian chef Giada De Laurentiis once wrote: “Food brings people together on many different levels. It's nourishment of the soul and body, it's truly love.”

Endless black...