Larko

Loving the new storyline that EastEnders is exploring with Penny. A disabled woman getting pregnant and questioning whether she can do it — that’s real. That’s honest. And when she said you don’t see many disabled mums on screen, she wasn’t wrong. Representation matters because people internalise what they don’t see. But I’ll say this too — we don’t see many disabled dads either. I’ve always wanted to be a father. Not for sympathy. Not to “prove a point.” Just because I wanted a family of my own. And I did it. And I genuinely believe I’m a good dad. Yet I’ve experienced the stigma. Especially in the UK. The looks. The quiet questions. The unspoken assumption: “How would he manage?” As if fatherhood is only physical. As if leadership, love, protection and guidance don’t count. There’s a narrative that disabled men are dependent — not providers, not partners, not leaders of families. And that narrative quietly affects relationships too. I honestly believe that’s one reason many disabled men struggle to be seen as viable partners. Not because we can’t love. But because society hasn’t caught up. EastEnders is brave for opening this conversation with Penny. But there’s another side to show — disabled masculinity. Disabled fatherhood. The stigma around it. The resilience behind it. @BBC, if you ever wanted to explore that angle — I’d happily work with @bbceastenders to tell that story properly. Because it’s time people saw that we don’t just survive. We raise families.

7 years ago I walked across Manchester Arndale when doctors said I wouldn’t walk at all. I feel that need again. The need to push myself. To prove something — not to them, but to me. So on my birthday, 4th September, I’m walking the full length of JBR Walk. This time, my son will be beside me. I’m doing it for charity. More information coming tomorrow.

I have a solution to fix the social care crisis and to give disabled men the chance to become fathers in one: Give visas to women from 3rd world countries! Tell them to take care of the disabled whilst growing the UK population. Social care costs down Disabled people getting 24h care & boom boom Lets Brits get back to work instead of using care as a excuse Really, sometimes you need to think out of the box! and who should the government contract to find these ladies? - Larko Life LTD 💯

You can tell my haters who's still about...

@ZackPolanski said we need migrants because he doesn't want to wipe bums. I don't like the guy but he is right on this... HEAR ME OUT! Every time I go UK, I miss my foreign carers. The English aren't natural caregivers! Every time I would hire a English carer they would leave skidmarks on my arse or not shower me properly, even leaving the smeg not pulling my foreskin back. But my foreign carers, they wipe my ring hole squeeky clean and my bellend is left shining!! Yeah gotta give Zack the W on this one 💯 let the English do more productive jobs, they aren't good at wiping bum

Dear @reformparty_uk / @Nigel_Farage / @ZiaYusufUK, I fully support the direction you’re taking this country. The honesty, the willingness to tackle welfare, the courage to make difficult decisions — it’s what Britain has needed for years. But there is one area that still hasn’t been touched properly: disability reform. Real reform. Lived-experience reform. System-changing reform. Right now, you have strong voices for the economy, immigration, policing and national direction — but no one truly representing disabled people from inside the system. No voice who understands disability not from textbooks but from reality. And someone like me — someone who is disabled, successful, independent, and not reliant on the state — is exactly the kind of person who could help build that policy. I moved to Dubai five years ago because the UK made independent living almost impossible. Care was unaffordable. Support was buried under red tape. The system trapped disabled people instead of lifting them. If real change was on the table — genuine, radical improvement — I would seriously consider returning to help build it. Here’s what I would advise immediately: 1. Rebrand the word “disabled.” In the UAE, we’re called People of Determination. That one change shifts the whole mentality. It encourages confidence, ambition, work, dignity. The UK still uses language that carries shame, limitation, and dependency. Change the language → change the mindset → change the outcomes. 2. Abolish minimum wage for the social care sector. This needs to be said bluntly: minimum wage has destroyed the UK care system. Families can’t afford carers. Councils are collapsing under budgets. Disabled people are getting fewer hours, not more. Care is not retail or hospitality. It’s a package role — accommodation, food, stability, routine, long-term commitment. Abolish or restructure minimum wage specifically for care, and immediately: Disabled people get more support Families save money Councils save millions Emergency placements reduce Care homes free up It’s not about underpaying carers — it’s about making care possible again. 3. Bring in serious penalties for disability abuse. In the UAE, mistreating a disabled person can lead to 5–10 years in prison. That’s how seriously they treat vulnerable people. Meanwhile in the UK, disabled people still face: hate crimes, harassment, exploitation, neglect — with barely any consequences. Reform UK could introduce real punishment, not symbolic gestures. When the law protects the vulnerable properly, society follows. 4. Stop NHS compensation PPO recipients from double-claiming benefits. This is a massive, unspoken issue. People like me — who receive six-figure yearly compensation — are often advised to keep a trust open so we can still claim state benefits too. It’s morally wrong. It’s financially devastating for councils. If a person receives high-value lifetime compensation, they should fund their own care — not rely on the taxpayer. Eliminating this double-funding would save the UK hundreds of millions, maybe more, and redirect support to disabled people who truly have no other resources. 5. Cut the red tape around lifting and mobility care. One of the most ridiculous parts of UK care law is how carers are terrified to physically lift people without hoists. Why? Because they’re scared of getting sued, or managers blame them for “unsafe practice.” In Dubai, a carer lifts me when needed — safely, manually, confidently. No fear. No litigation panic. It saves time, saves money, increases independence, and increases quality of life. If a disabled person wants manual lifting, and a carer chooses to lift, they should not be criminalised or punished for it. We are adults capable of consenting to how we prefer to be supported. Remove the fear. Remove the red tape. Bring back common sense in care. 6. Build a disability policy team led by lived experience. Not academics. Not charity PR managers. Not people who’ve never needed care. Real disabled people who’ve navigated the system and know exactly where it’s failing. Because disabled people don’t need pity — we need policy. Reform UK has the chance to set the standard for what modern disability rights should look like: independence, dignity, empowerment, affordability, and common-sense support. If the opportunity ever came to help shape that future — I’d be there. Always.

UK says “we’re helping the disabled”… then raises minimum wage so high that nobody can afford carers anymore. Make it make sense. #DisabilityTruth #UKBudget

If you're British. If you're a farmer. If you have savings. If you're successful. If you're a pensioner. If you run a business. If you employ people. If you're working class. If you own your own home. If you work hard and pay taxes. This Labour gov't absolutely hate you.

Raise minimum wage again? Congrats — carers become more expensive, disabled people get fewer hours, small businesses crumble. But yeah… “fairness.” Basic economics is crying right now. #MinimumWage #Truth

The new UK budget is a joke — but honestly, I’m not even surprised anymore. It’s like every year they open the envelope, read out the numbers, and the whole country collectively sighs, “Here we go again.” And once again… **minimum wage is going up.** Of course it is. Because nothing says “we care about working people” like quietly making it impossible for small businesses, families, and care providers to actually afford the staff they need. Let’s be real: every time the minimum wage goes up, disabled people get hit first. Not because anyone hates disabled people — but because carers instantly become more expensive. Families cut hours. Agencies cut availability. It’s economics, not emotions. You raise costs → you reduce labour. But hey, at least politicians get a nice applause line on TV, right? The funniest part? People shouting “it’s not enough!” are usually the ones who’ve never employed a single human being in their entire life. You ask them what pension contributions, holiday pay, national insurance, and agency fees cost — and they blink like you just asked them to solve a maths problem without a calculator. The UK wants to help the vulnerable… by making the people who look after the vulnerable unaffordable. It’s like raising the price of water to help dehydrated people. Make it make sense. I can already hear someone typing, “But workers deserve a living wage!” Yes, Karen, they do. But you also deserve to understand basic economics before commenting on Facebook at 9am with crumbs of last night’s kebab still on your hoodie. This budget isn’t helping anyone. Not businesses. Not families. Not disabled people. Not the economy. But don’t worry — the carers will still get their pay rise. Wouldn’t want them struggling, would we?

There’s always that one 4/10 girl in Dubai clubs who thinks she’s the main character because she turned up with a *semi-rich guy* who rents a table once a month. The second she sees me with a bottle, suddenly she’s creating World War 3 between her man and me — giving side-eyes, whispering shit to him, just trying to make a fight. Relax, stop bitching. I’m not trying to take your guy. I’m literally just trying to enjoy my night, my bottle, and a break from life before stress hits me again. You’ve got your man. I’ve got my section. We are not the same — let’s keep the peace before security mistakes your attitude for a performance.

@reformparty_uk has made it clear this week that PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is about to get a serious shake-up. They’ve said that people with non-major anxiety, ADHD, or mild mental-health conditions will no longer automatically qualify, and the Motability scheme is going back to basics — no more top-spec luxury cars being funded by the taxpayer. And honestly, I strongly agree with that. Even I, as a disabled man who’s built success for myself, had to make financial sacrifices. I bought a 2020 Mercedes van — second-hand, practical, and perfect for my wheelchair setup. It’s not brand new, not flashy, but it does the job. That’s what mobility is supposed to be about — getting around, not showing off. Meanwhile, you’ve got people cruising around in brand-new Audi Q8s and BMW X5s through the Motability scheme, claiming they “need it” for adaptations. Let’s be real — most of these “adaptations” are just tinted windows, Apple CarPlay, and massage seats. I saw someone say they needed a Range Rover because it’s easier to get into. Easier? Bro, that’s a mountain climb, not accessibility. The original point of the mobility scheme was independence — so people with real, physical impairments could move freely and live normal lives. Somewhere along the line, it turned into a taxpayer-funded luxury leasing programme. Reform UK are right to draw a line. The system’s been milked for years by people who see disability as an excuse to upgrade their lifestyle instead of their mindset. If we’re honest, this change was inevitable. The country’s broke, and the public are fed up seeing social media full of people on benefits posing with 70-grand cars. It makes genuine disabled people — the ones who actually need support — look bad. I’ll always stand by this: disability shouldn’t be a free pass to luxury. It should be about function, fairness, and freedom — not flexing. Reform UK’s new stance might upset a few, but it’s the reality check the system’s needed for a long time. #LarkoVoice #RealTalk #ReformUK #DisabilityTruth #MobilityScheme #NoExcuses

@ZackPolanski is the greatest example of why left wing politics and individuals are confused. Zack says he is Jewish, but likes sausage, which is prohibited in the Torah. He also supports palestine, yet his religious book says the land belongs to the Jews... hmmm?

This might upset some of you — and I don’t care. Let’s talk about PIP mobility and what’s really going on. You shouldn’t be able to get any car you want on a state benefit. Sorry, but luxury and benefits don’t go together. Some of the top-end cars you can get through the Motability scheme? BMW X1, Audi Q5, Mercedes A-Class, even VW Tiguan R-Line. That’s mad! When I lived in the UK, I could’ve got myself a brand-new top-spec van through PIP. Instead, I bought mine outright with my own money. Fast forward — now I live in Dubai, and I drive a 2020 Mercedes V-Class. Fully specced. TVs. Ambient lights. Massage seats. But let me be clear: I paid for it myself. You telling me someone in the UK can get something similar through benefits? Nah, that’s wild. Like what disability is being cured by the ambient lighting or the heated cup holders in a brand new £70,000 V-Class? What’s next, “state-funded starlight roof because it helps with anxiety”? 😂 This is where the UK loses the plot. The system should help people move, not help people cruise. You want independence? Yes. You want transport? 100%. But luxury? You work for that. Let me say this before the sensitive squad shows up: I am disabled. I qualify for the scheme. I just believe in principles. If you want the Mercedes, the Audi, the BMW — go out and buy it. Don’t bleed the system dry while moaning the system’s broke. It’s simple: Support people to live. Don’t support people to flex.

It's time - Part 2 out Wednesday

I’ve just bought my first property in Dubai, and I’m already aiming for my second by next year. Someone asked me the other day: > “Why don’t you do this in the UK?” And my honest answer? **Why would I?** Why would I work hard, invest my money, pay ridiculous taxes and fees… only for a system that gives **tenants more rights than landlords**? In Dubai, if a tenant doesn’t pay, you can serve notice and by 6 months they’re gone — no endless court battles, no years of lost rent, no being forced to house someone who’s destroying your property. The law actually protects the investor. In the UK it’s the opposite. A tenant can stop paying, drag you through courts for a year or more, wreck your place, and the system will still treat you like *you’re* the criminal. It’s so bad that even though I own a property outright in the UK, I won’t rent it out long term. I’d rather stick it on Airbnb than risk being stuck with a nightmare tenant I legally can’t remove. And then you’ve got **taxes**: council tax, capital gains tax, stamp duty, extra charges for being a landlord, “non-resident” surcharges, the lot. They bleed you dry while telling you you’re “lucky” to have a property. In Dubai I pay one-time fees, no nonsense. The process is fast. The laws are clear. The government actually wants investors to invest. The difference is night and day. The UK loves to talk about “protecting renters” but really it’s just **destroying the rental market**. People like me — who actually *could* put more housing on the market — just won’t bother anymore. I know this will upset some people. But it’s the truth. You can’t build a property portfolio in a country that treats landlords like criminals and tenants like royalty. That’s why my future, my investments, and my legacy are being built abroad — not in a country that punishes ambition.

Let’s talk about something uncomfortable — but true. If you're a disabled man in the UK and you're dreaming of a future with a partner, marriage, kids, or even just some emotional companionship... stop looking for it in the UK. You’ll wait your whole life. Harsh? Maybe. But real. British women are raised in a society that associates masculinity with physical strength, status, and dominance. When they see a man in a wheelchair or a man who needs help with daily tasks, they subconsciously (or very openly) assume he’s “less of a man.” It’s not even entirely their fault — it's how the media, society, and even government systems have programmed them. The message is: if you’re not physically capable or financially elite, you’re not a catch. Period. So what happens? Most disabled men are ignored, ghosted, or worse — pitied. And that kills your confidence before the conversation even starts. Meanwhile, overseas? Women from different backgrounds, cultures, and struggles have different values. They might initially be drawn to the opportunity — maybe it’s a better life, maybe a visa, maybe just a shot at something new. But let me tell you: **if you’re a good man, if you guide her, protect her, show her loyalty, and stand firm as a leader — she will end up loving you deeply**. And let’s be honest… if at the start, you’re both getting what you want — she gets a better life, you get companionship and legacy — **who’s losing?** That’s called a *mutual exchange*, not exploitation. That’s life. Do you really think every UK relationship starts with “pure” love? Most start in the club or on Tinder with drinks, lust, and expectations. But no one bats an eye. But suddenly if a disabled guy finds love abroad — it's a scandal? Nah. I don’t want pity, I want power. I don’t want charity, I want a choice. And British women might say, “Oh, that’s sad you have to buy love.” But I say, “It’s sad that you can’t see love when it comes in a different form.” As long as both people get what they want and treat each other right — that’s all that matters. Because let’s be real: **Love is a deal… and the UK market's broken for those with disabilities

5 years ago, I landed in Dubai with nothing but ambition and a vision. Today, I signed the papers on my first property in the UAE. Property number 2, if you count my house in the UK. I told myself back then — “One day this city will know my name.” This one's for my family, This one's for my legacy, This one’s for my son, so he never has to ask, “Did Dad really make it?” And to the people that said: > “He’s in a wheelchair, he won’t do much.” “He’s just another case file living off compensation.” You judged the cover — But forgot some books are written in blood, pain and comeback stories. From school bullies to social workers, From hospital beds to hotel rooftops, From cerebral palsy to property owner in Dubai — That’s not luck. That’s grind. I had a past, I’ve got scars, But I also have deeds, documents and dreams. So if you're watching this and you’ve been doubted your whole life... Just know — legacy ain't built in comfort zones.

Another thing that seriously needs to change in the UK social care system is **the means test threshold for receiving council-funded care**. For those who don’t know, this is the amount of money you’re allowed to have in savings or assets before you’re expected to fund your own care. In England, for example, if you have over **£23,250** in savings or assets, you get **no help at all**. If you have between **£14,250 and £23,250**, they’ll help *a bit*, but you still pay most of the cost. Only if you drop below £14,250 do they stop counting your savings entirely. That’s **barely the cost of a used car**, and certainly not enough to give anyone long-term security or dignity. ### Why this is a joke: People who’ve worked hard, saved all their life, maybe owned a home or invested carefully – they are punished. They lose everything **just to be able to wipe their own backside with help** when they’re no longer physically able to. And when the savings run out, the state finally steps in – once you’re broke again. ### And what about disabled people like me? How are we expected to build wealth or succeed in life when we know the second we hit a certain threshold, the support disappears? That’s not “support” – that’s punishment for trying to get ahead. It keeps people stuck. It discourages ambition. It traps people in poverty, or worse – it **forces people to hide what they have**. Me? I keep my funds and assets in a **trust**. Not because I’m trying to “game the system,” but because **I have no choice**. If I don’t, I’ll be told to spend every penny I have on care until I have nothing. **Many disabled people who are lucky enough to have some money do this**. The rest either go without or end up broke. ### What needs to change: * **Raise the savings threshold** – significantly. * **Stop punishing people for trying to be financially independent**. * **Allow people to contribute reasonably, not bankrupt themselves.** * **Introduce disability wealth protection schemes** – so we can still save, invest, own homes, and plan for our children. Care is not a luxury. For many of us, it’s **as essential as food and water**. You wouldn’t ask someone to sell their house before qualifying for a wheelchair. Why is care different? This system is broken. It needs fixing.

**Whenever the argument comes up about whether the minimum wage should be abolished for the social care sector, the first thing people say is: “Carers are underpaid.”** Honestly, I laugh. Not because I don’t respect carers — I do. But because when I lived in the UK, I had carers who were working *willingly* every day, 24/7, on minimum wage. By the end of the month, they were earning over **£8,000**. Tell me what other “underpaid” job hands you £8k a month for staying in someone’s house, watching Netflix, eating their food, and sometimes snoring louder than the client! 😂 Let’s be real: for those of us who have to **self-fund** our care — it's not fair, and it’s not sustainable. The current system makes it cheaper to move abroad than to live safely in your own country with 24/7 support. It’s time we start having serious conversations about **wage reform, flexibility, and foreign carer visas** — not just repeating slogans. Disability shouldn't cost six figures a year just to survive.