Struggling families like mine don't talk about the cost of living any more now it's the cost of survival | Ella Michalski

"The term crisis suggests something that we could move beyond. But this impossible effort to make ends meet is a constant now for millions. It has been going on for so long that it has become almost normal."

"As another parent, Mike, said recently, it's not a cost of living crisis any more: it's a cost of survival crisis. Families like my own have cut back as far as we can."

"Having to make impossible decisions about what to go without, and what vital item of expenditure can wait another week or more likely month is not normal, is not right; and it harms millions of families, day after day."

Military action has intensified human suffering and worsened living standards for families, making it difficult to afford essentials. Rising prices are expected, creating fear about future costs. The situation has evolved from a temporary emergency to a constant struggle for many. Families face tough decisions about expenditures, which is not normal or acceptable. A group of parents, including those with disabled children, document their experiences to raise awareness and advocate for change, emphasizing that the crisis is now about survival rather than just living costs.

Read at www.theguardian.com