A grandfather who fought to stop the Government forcing Motor Neurone Disease sufferers through the "humiliating and devastating process" of having to reapply for their benefits has died.
Earlier this year the Mirror revealed how Ron Stevenson, 69, was horrified when he got a letter warning his would be axed unless he reapplied - even though he was paralysed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and had just six months to live.
The former special needs teacher, who was diagnosed with MND in 2010, relied on the weekly payments to supplement his care.
But he finally succumbed to the illness last week.
Last night his brother Noel, 66, said: “He always wanted to highlight the injustice of this dreadful requirement for people with long term incapacitating illnesses to have to re-apply for their benefits.
“My brother was incensed by this and he fought it tooth and nail, not so much for himself, but for others in future, because it is so harsh and unfair.
“I hope his fight to end this cruel situation will be his legacy.”
Before his death Ron said it was "crazy" he and other sufferers had to be reassessed by the Department for Work and Pensions every three years as the condition is terminal.
He said: "It was devastating when we got the letter… we knew it had happened to many other people with MND.
“We felt harassed, humiliated, because I am totally paralysed and have been for some time - yet the DWP think it's necessary for me to be reassessed to see whether I am still disabled."
The dad-of-two, who lived with wife Gill in Staplefield, West Sussex, said he was determined for others to be spared the ordeal.
He described the process of reapplying for his benefits as "humiliating".
At the time ta spokesperson for the DWP said: "We are on s him sorry if our notification letter caused distress.
"We fast-track reviews to confirm support for people in his can be done by the medical professional.
A DWP spokesperson has since said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Stevenson’s friends and family at this difficult time.”
