Readers of this site will know I’ve written regularly about Maggie (name changed), a 41-year-old Northampton woman with a schizophrenia diagnosis.
Maggie has been sectioned in the past and has spent time in hospital.
Maggie receives the Employment and Support Allowance benefit. Up until recently, Maggie was in the ESA Support Group, which is the group for people with the highest support needs.
The DWP suddenly changed that about a month ago. Maggie was sent to a Maximus face-to-face assessment. She got a letter at the end of September which told her that her ESA claim had been downgraded. She was now in the ESA work related activity group (which means that she must attend jobcentre meetings about finding work) and her benefit money had been cut.
The DWP did not tell Maggie why it had suddenly decided she was able to look for work and live on less money. Her condition has not changed. It’s actually worsened since local mental health support services were cut. No reasons for this decision were included in the DWP’s letter.
Maggie rang the DWP to ask the department to send her a list of reasons for this decision to push her into the ESA WRAG group. The DWP said it would send her those reasons by post. That was three weeks ago. The list of reasons has not arrived. Maggie can’t properly challenge the decision to change her benefits without understanding exactly what it was about her condition that the DWP thought had changed.
However – the DWP HAS managed to send other post to Maggie in the last few weeks. The department sent her a letter which told her in no uncertain terms that she must turn up to her jobcentre for a work-related interview, or risk benefit sanctions. The DWP has no problem getting that sort of letter – ie a threatening letter – in the post. That part of the system works absolutely fine.
That letter about the work interview at the jobcentre arrived almost immediately after the letter which told Maggie that her benefit had been cut (I was actually speaking to Maggie on the phone about the first letter when the second one dropped through the door). Maggie had to attend that first work-focused interview at her jobcentre last week.
I am getting very, very sick of this. You think the sex scandals in parliament are bad. This sort of story is as bad and worse. This is cutting off support to people in great need and dropping them in it.
With one pen-stroke, David Gauke and the rest of the DWP’s geniuses cut money and support to someone who has previously been hospitalised because her mental health condition is so serious. Nobody gives a stuff about that, of course, or about the effects that such letters have on people whose are already struggling to keep things going. After cutting her money, all the DWP offered Maggie by way of “support” (ha) was a threat about attending a jobcentre meeting.
How do Gauke and his bureaucrats still get paychecks for running this intentionally disastrous system – the system that people in the greatest need in our society must use? The situation I’ve described above is exactly the sort of scenario that sets desperate and unsupported people up for suicide attempts – horrible threats, pressure and reduced money, and nobody to help (welfare support and advice in Northampton is hard to come by). It isn’t even subtle.
So much for government taking mental health seriously. Do me a favour.
I won’t be letting this one go.
I received severe disablement allowance for 18 years when I nearly died from a stroke,fast forward to a medical in 2017 I received no points on ESA told to get out of my wheelchair and park it at a place of employment oh and your last payment of SDA would be July.no it was June.I had a two hour assessment 2 weeks ago for PIP I used to get mobility now I get nothing.waiting for 2 appeals now and I am under counselling and depressive medication.lets see if a judge can see with 20 conditions I can work because I tried to get a job years ago and nobody would entertain it then .
I’m so so sorry your going through this, its simply wrong what many disabled are going through.
The sad fact is that we are powerless on our own. Most disabled people would love to work if their own health conditions allowed it.
But the facts are only 8% of employer’s employ disabled people. Most times you don’t even get a reply to 1000s of applications.
They DON’T want us. So even if you are fit enough to work.a few hours most employer’s won’t even give you a interview let alone a chance.
Today the government are going to encourage employer’s to hire more disabled , by offering cash and tax breaks. But once they stop you’ll be unemployed yet again. They are kicking so many off disability and the facts are no one wants to hire us.
Discrimination exists not only for disabled but for anyone over 50. My partners worked for the same company for last 34yrs and he is looking for new employment, but no one will hire him. How are we fixed been disabled? We are screwed.
We don’t stand a chance. We end up on jobseekers which is a joke because no one will hire us. I really want to work I keep applying over and over but I’ve not even.got passed the application, I hate the fact that the dwp decide if I should be deemed fit or unfit for work I feel powerless my future is in their hands. Its a awful feeling knowing your mortgage payments or in their hands. Knowing anytime I could lose my home. It breaks my heart and makes angry. There are thousands out there like me!! Who are really trying with everything to hold on.
Disabled are now treated with total disrespect. We all treated like we are putting it on or faking it.
If you tell your doctor the pain relief isn’t working your judged like you a addict. Not that you’ve been on same medication for last 12 years and your body built a resistance to it. I dread the Autumn and winter every year it gets harder. Early hrs of this morning, I was in so much pain, I honestly felt I’d had enough. I feel like life is day in day out crippling pain. My elbows are that bad I can’t straighten or bend them. My knee is hugely swollen with a huge egg on one side. My foot is like a big purple balloon through back and nerve pain. My hands feel so stiff and swollen and clumsily and tight. I sleep in a chair downstairs because its impossible to get upstairs. My chair and footstool are my bed. I take handsful of meds that help with my back condation but do nothing for my joint pain. Last night was the first time I thought I can’t take the pain any longer. I’ve had enough!!!
The dwp are driving people to the edge making us feel like we are not worth the air that we breath because of our disabilities. It destroys me hearing how people are struggling.
I know its not only people who are disabled . I know people on uc are finding it very difficult. But if you have your health you can make your own future. But when you don’t have your health you have nothing and reliant on the dwp.
We are lucky we have a safety net in this country, but I ask myself is it a safety net anymore. I feel its gone for all.
There is nothing left in the pot and for that we must all suffer.
The government mis managed its letting people in to our country who unfortunately think the UK is the land of milk and honey. I spoke to a young healthy 26 year old from Italy she brought her children over 4years ago. They give her a council house and £6000 to help her set up home. She doesn’t work even though her boys are above 5 years. She had a beautiful home. I asked her can I ask you why did you leave your beautiful country? I thought she’d say mind your own business. But she said I can’t live in italy its way too expensive I’d have to work all hours just for apartment, because there is little benefit system in italy and if you can’t work you can’t live. I came to UK I was told I’d get a house because of my children and id get paid to stay home and look after my.children. I said wow I didn’t relies. She told me it’s far better to live here then italy. I asked was it expensive getting over here? She told me she paid £1000 each. I said I understood you want best for your family that I can understand don’t we all. But now because of bad choices made by government all those that need the safety net are falling through. I see thousands of families out on the streets and the Uk turning in to a third world country.
All we can do is fight for our rights to live a decent life with our families. We will not be over looked or used by the government for a easy touch. We need to stand our ground and fight like hell. Because this is our country and we’ve all paid our taxes and we are not a burden on the this country. I just wish everyone else didn’t think that way, it’s really is time we had a voice and someone listened.
I wish you luck.and please don’t ever stop fighting know this your entitled to that money and your car you were awarded under dla, it shouldn’t change unless you improve with your mobility and health.
Good luck and best wishes
I agree 100% The UK now is becoming a third world country, the government are a fucking shower of shit ! In fact all MP,s of any party are showers of shit. Its about time that this country was taken back by the people for the people. l had my carers allowance taken off me because a PIP assessment took away the DLA payments from the person l was caring for, she suffers from serious IBS and is wheelchair bound…..but according to PIP she can work, what a load of crap !
lve now started selling drugs, l used the last of my credit on my card and bought £500 of cannabis, in my first week l made over £1000, lm into my second month now and making around £2000 per week.
In my whole lifetime l never thought l would be reduced to selling drugs but l now recommend that everyone should, You do anything to survive if you are forced into it so fuck the lot of them !!! The shower of shit goverment are creating a new breed of drug dealers, decent people who are left with no choice, fuck the lot of them !!!!
I can see what you are saying l had ny 35 years dla taken away yesterday at me appeal they refused my anything l donnt understand l have a serious brain disease lm mixed up atos woman lied through her teeth they say they the believe her lies not my truth
She CAN ask for a mandatory reconsideration without waiting for the reasons and should do this without further delay. She should also claim PIP if not already getting. 0800 917 2222.
The point is here none of benefits should have been took off her in the first place.
The true face of caring Conservatism. The issue of the Government doing more and giving more to alleviate this countries dreadful mental health situation is actually just a series of soundbites and Daily Mail headlines for the unquestioning to digest before they catch up on the “important” things like the Big Brother, The Only Way Is Essex and other such puerile drivel. Thank God people like you look at what’s really happening and highlight it. Sadly it would appear there are less and less of us. Keep rocking the boat, it keeps the captain awake!
I can totally sympathise with all. I have recently and still going through the same. After being put into the ESA bracket by the DWP in the first place I received the letter after being requested to attend Work Capability Assessment out of the blue that I had failed to meet the requirements and they had decided that my ESQ would be stopped and I was to report to the local job centre and sign on to seek employment. Apart from my medical conditions this sent me reeling and my stress level has gone through the roof and my depression has seriously been affected too. As for requesting a Mandatory Reconsideration of their decision ( a laugh at best ) they “can find no evidence to make a change to their decision” so a case of just do what you are told no matter how much physical and mental pain it puts you through. So to all of us going through the same I send thoughts of strength and compassion and hang in there and to them Its time to WAKE UP!!
You do know that, after the Mandatory Reconsideration, you can still appeal against a decision?
It’s a struggle, and could take a long time – I waited 11 months after being told I was fit for work (but am now in the Support group) – but it’s definitely worth doing.
This is an absolute disaster. I received a similar letter weeks back and really don’t know what to do. I am a single mum with two daughters living with me. A PhD holder with several years of experience in teaching but unable to find the right job. Before the disastrous cut I could hardly cover our expenses! And now the housing benefit went way below the logical limit. I am sure Maggie’s situation is far more critical than mine. But I can see that we are all on the same boat and no explanation as why this happened or what will happen next..
Faceless cowards who have no feelings ,maybe one day they or their families will have to claim benefits then you will find out how hard you people make life for the less fortunate. Duncan Smith I hate even mentioning your name but you have to take the blame for this terrible thing you have done to your fellow human being’s, I don’t reckon you have a decent bone anywhere.
It’s quite simply this government the. Tories hate the welfare state and being non caring and liars will affect it more than any other department but they have no consciences
I was on sickness benefit for paranio schxerprenia I was on dla now turned to pip I’ve lost my dla in losing 100 a fortnight I went for medical my current situations haven’t changed at all still same and got 0 points on questioned she asked and have been changed I’m still on support group my mental health has taken a bad turn due to all this and lies I don’t know were o stand and put a appeal in .I’m feeling suicidal with all this stress and of I do they will be to blame it’s absolutely disgusting yet pay high rate for drug users unable to work and I’m levitate but I’m put under rug and will take this further
I donig not like the system i is wish someone ask the government to put their heads together because I know if their ask me to go to work for my benefit I would
Absolutely in an identical position. It’s grim and cruel.
I was taken I’ll in January 2016 spent 10 days in hospital god bless nhs saved my life at the time, went back to work to soon had an accident of work sick from injury lost my job ended up on esa for 6 month with the fantastic benefit of esa of£23.pwk for 6months I was then sent for a medical to see if I was fit for work the report came back stating I was fit for work and my doctor had received a letter telling him to issue no more sick notes, the letter stated I was no longer suffering depression or trouble with my back pain which was a surprise because my sick notes all stated I was off work due to a chest injury caused by the accident at work. I was also going to hospital on a regular basis because during my 10 stay they found I had heart disease, sleep apnea, and needed to have my gall bladder removed so 2016 wasn’t a brilliant year so starting January 2017 I found myself on job seekers looking for work even though the hospital and the Dvla said I couldn’t drive hgv 1vehicles until the heart condition was under control and the sleep apnea problem was under control and still waiting for the op which couldn’t be done till my other health problems were under control. But at least my benefits went up to £53 pwk it took till September 2017 to get in hospital for my operation which again god bless the nhs. But I came out of hospital with 14 stitches in my stomach on Saturday but had to drive to the job centre without a seatbelt did get exemption certificate on Tuesday to sign on because I would be sanctioned if I didn’t turn up to say I was fit to work. The hospital said I shouldn’t do anything heavy lifting or strenuous for 8 to 10 weeks but I had to sign on every two weeks and actively seek work the whole time I couldn’t claim esa because my doctor cannot issue me with a sick note anymore because the dwp have told him not to. When I rang the dwp to complain they said it doesn’t mater what your doctor says we override anything he says I listed all my problems to them and they said if we say your fit to work then that is the end of it. Naturally as anyone would I did say so when I’m driving my 40 ton lorry through town fall asleep at the wheel or have a heart attack let’s hope all your family are in front of my truck thank you bye. I’m still actively seeking work daily signing on fortnightly I actually retire next year 65 can’t wait I would not do a damn thing for this stinking country ever again 47 years I’ve worked and paid in to the system and all I get is £23. A week for six month then £53 a week for 11 month not in debt yet but what little I had before being taken ILL will be long gone before retiring I will then have only the state pension I’ve been nowhere’s for the last 2years sitting in the house staring out the window sitting in the cold because I can’t afford to put the heating on reading about drug addicts & drunks getting extra benefits to fund there addictions foreigners entering the country getting hundreds of pounds a week and me worked all my life paying to be treated this way and now we read about the queen prince Charles and multimillionaires scamming and avoiding tax. I wouldn’t vote a politician in to power if my life depended on it. Sorry about the rant it won’t change anything but some people should really know what this government are doing to the sick and disabled DONT VOTE DONT WORK make the rich pay
I am so sorry sounds like you’ve been through hell. You’ve worked all your life to be treated this way.
This is purely because your near to retiring. Unfortunately a few years ago back when Labour were in power. They signed many people off work who were coming up to pension age to get unemployment figures down. When the benefit reforms came in they decided to give everybody everyone who.was near pension age a very hard time to try to force you back to work that is what they are doing to you.
It’s wrong like you said you have many health problems. Government at the same time cut payments to advice and help lines so there is very litlle support out there. To try and over turn there ruling. That been said you could appeal against all this, I would if I was you you have a excellent case. I know you retire next year, but why the hell should you be treated like this? Youve worked hard all your life to be treated this way. I know you don’t feel like fighting but that’d the only way we get them to understand you can’t treat people this way. We are sick.some even terminal. They are hurting people and the sick and disabled are suffering.
They said “we all have to suffer a little”.’when the Tories came in to power to payback what our country owed. The only people I see suffering is us!!!
They’ve not cut anything else just put a freeze on benefits yearly increase. But yet the rich get richer and the poorer get poorer.
We all have to fight back.Don’t let them do this to you. Fight fight hard. This isn’t going to stop.its just going to carry on.
There is no Great Britain any more, Great Britain wouldn’t do this to there people Britain looked after their own. Now they look after what ever EU tells them. Immigrants have split this country we are no longer United kingdom. HOW MANY COME HERE AND PAY NOT ONE PENNY IN.? Well I’ve met two families so far and I know theres lots more..its so.sad we are not looking after people like yourself. People that’s worked hard for this country.. The nhs is in serious trouble its at breaking point. Because countries come here for health tourists and come here for treatment and go home before they pay. Its got to be stopped but it won’t. I could understand why lots want to leave the UK. I used to be so proud of my.country, now I feel shame, people are desperately trying to get here they think.its the land of milk and honey.. lol
It is if your not born and raised in this country and God help you id you ever get sick.or disabled. You.may as well curl up and die. Because your life is not worth living.
This exactly what government want. Divide and conquer-the poor. No it isn’t drug addicts, alcoholics and/or anyone from overseas fault-it is the ideology of the party in power. The people who you have talked about have many issues to deal with.
Look at the paradise papers- no illegal but immoral. The rest of us who pay for it. Have you not noticed that the press have rarely reported on deaths of disabled or treatment of disabled and poor in UK-despite many reports including one by UN-on UK governments despicable treatment of vulnerable people. The running down of NHS, levels of homelessness going up, crime going up, food bank use going up, mental health issues going up, services being cut, care home staff shortages, police and fire services being cut, etc etc, etc- could go one. It’s the state that is doing this!!!
Absolutely agree. None of us are suffering due to immigrants , we are all suffering due to the immorality of capitalist greed. Even those who think they are doing ok are only a whisker away from financial meltdown if they only knew it but as you say it is divide and rule , keep us squabbling amongst ourselves while the rich and powerful laugh at us.
Totally agree immigration isn’t the problem it’s uncontrolled greed by the ruling classes, the safety net the Labour Party put in place after the war is being purposely dismantled by the Thatcherites, I’m at present self employed not by choice but by economics I also suffer mental health issues and know only too well how close I am to financial disaster if I become unwell again, I’m tired of the sound bites from the Tories about how they care about the mentally unwell, a mass movement of people must bring to attention how people on DSA are being abused by the system.
I just recieved a work capability assessment I get trouble drinking fluids because my Esophugus isn’t working right I get days where I cannot drink I have a bad hip asthma depressed I have breakdowns suffering anxiety and stress. I spend most of my days and nights on setter because I am so weak. I am in a panic now. My mental health nurse is helping so hope I pass as without a car I can’t get medication or see doctor. I now live in fear until I get a pass or rejected.
I past pip not long ago. I am in bits at the moment. How can I work if I can’t eat or drink. Doing so tales up my day. I can’t stay out long as my asthma gets worse. Can’t walk without a walking stink in pain because my Esophugus is acting like my stomach food watsr8stays there for ages before it goes down and when the Esophugus lining gets sore drinking water hurts so bad I have to be sick till it heals. So worried.
Don’t let them win, appeal your case and go to court if that what it takes to overturn there decision.. Don’t stop fighting for your rights. No matter what.
I’ll never stop , we need to help each other that is how we’ll make a difference..
Nina, its not that simple. Some people are so crushed and broken by the system they cant deal with even more abuse to sort it out.
I was an able bodied man for 40 years. The moment I was touched at physio it went catastrophically wrong. I digressed every day for 6 weeks until placed in an MRI scanner. On exiting I was advised not to go anywhere as I needed to be admitted urgently.
Within 24 hours I was waking up in the surgical recovery room after C5/6 ACDF surgery as a disk in my neck was burst along with a trapped spinal cord. Cervical Myelopathy, Progressive Spastic Myelopathy, Constant tremor and Spasms throughout my body. Bilateral foot surgery followed but no operation can now be done for rotator cuff and impingement because you cant tell the difference between shoulder injury and Myelopathy conditions running through body.
I spend most of each day in bed as its painful just to move.
After neck fusion surgery Atos assessment, zero score, reconsideration zero score, Tribunal win with Daily Living and Disability component given. Pre Tribunal 1 I was sent for another assessment which was canceled twice, on my way to assessment centre by text and confirmed as I arrived with advocate.
Post tribunal 1 I was sent to triage to find work when hardly able to sit in a chair. It took 9 months with ignored solicitors letters then intervention of MP to get the backdated money. I thought that all was ok.
2 months after receiving monies it was demanded that I went for another assessment. Atos assessment, zero score, reconsideration zero score, Tribunal win with Disability component given but not Daily Living.
You cant appeal against a Tribunal decision you have to mount a legal challenge which I have just done. With respect, its just relentless BUT I will be fighting to the end if it kills me.
http://www.pimp-my-gov.co.uk – coming soon
Do you feel like a Pawn in a ridiculous game?
Are you part of a purposely made impossible Jigsaw Puzzle?
When a catastrophic situation brings fundamental and permanent change, have you struggled to open the common-sense door with the DWP & 3rd party contractors
Whether you are a victim or a perpetrator, this might just be the report for you!
Rob we’ve all had a terrible time!!!
Do you want me to tell you.my.story.
Its heartbreaking even now I cry, I can’t believe what the system did to me. Simply because they didn’t listen.
For years now I’ve had epilepsy one day I fell downstairs while fitting. Unfortunately I came round from the fit hours later thinking I was ok, I went shopping and buying new fencing,later that day I started to shake and have a high temperature. I was taken to hospital it turned out I.was going into shock. The pain was all in my.legs got to hospital id badly broken both my ankles. While I was in hospital the pain in my.leg just got worse and I was black and blue. They xrayed my leg up to my.knee. luckily it was ok, but the pain didn’t stop. Over and over again I told them.. I was sent home I noticed my legs were going numb and pins and needles.ran alway down in to. Feet and toes over the months things got even more problems. My tops of my.legs went numb. Around that time I found out that I was pregnant, how I didn’t lose that baby in that fall it was a miracle..I was already 6 months pregnant, my gp was worried about my symptoms so she asked a neurologist to examine me. He did I was told the baby was laid on a nerve, while in B &Q getting paint. My legs went ice cold and I lost power to my.legs..I got up and tried to walk but I was draging my.leg . I couldn’t lift my.leg at all. I saw the neurologist again he said the same thing about the baby laid on my nerve. The pain by this time was so.bad and the drs just give me paracetamol it did nothing. Then I noticed I was having problems with my bladder and bowel. My gp told me again it was the bady. The next day my baby was nearly born in the bathroom. I had no labour pains I felt nothing while my.son was been born apart from pain in my legs.. I give birth in less then 20mins.thankfully my bady was healthy. But thing’s got even worse the pain was so bad I couldn’t stand up I asked the midwives they said sometimes you get all sorts of aches and pains after having a baby, I felt like id been kicked by a donkey then been ran over. I was eatting pain killers desperately trying to stop the pain, how I didnt kill myself. I got a whole tube of ibuprofen gel and coated by legs in it. The burning was so bad I felt my legs were on fire. I kept telling my gps but I think they thought I was making it all.up.The one day I got in shower and every time water touched my legs it felt like acid. I also at this point found between my legs were totally numb and my bum they call it the saddle area.. but my hips were numb., I got out the shower when I noticed something hanging down I couldn’t see it very well so I tried pulling it I pulled it and it wouldn’t move, then I pulled again it give a little but I got a wave of sickness. I could see what it was umbilical cord.my legs turned to jelly and blood was everywhere. I tried to clean myself uo phoned midwife even though id been discharged. She came out and they’d left everything inside me from the birth even though id been to hospital. She apologised, I asked her is this why I’ve been so.ill, she said yes I’m not surprised.
The next day this was 6 weeks after the birth I couldn’t stand up, I crawled on my.hands and knees, because every time I try to stand my legs just felt wobbly and the pain would get so intense. I phoned my gp again told them about the pain I was in. They told me to send someone to collect a prescription for pain killers.. I was heartbroken I felt so bad and no one would listen to me.. I begged the gps for help . Withing 48hrs I could no longer crawl on my hands and knees I was now dragging myself with my toes and fingers dragging myself along the floor to care for my baby. Before my husband left for work he made the bottles up in a cool bag put the bottle warmer at the side of the sofa and all the nappy changing things and clothes and my.baby in the basket. By this time I couldn’t move. My legs felt so heavy I cried I couldn’t believe it id waited 10years to become a mum and look at the state of me. I tried desperately to get up and my.legs just collapsed. My husband thought I had postnatal despression because the way I.was treated by the gp. I insisted I hadnt I.just wanted to be able to care for my family. I phoned nhs direct they told me if I was going to hurt myself I needed to go to a and e straight away. To which I said I dont want to hurt myself and I couldn’t go to a and e I can’t walk hardly. I cried and begged for help… id now not moved off the sofa for two days. Monday morning furst thing I rang the gps up I asked for a home visit, I got a phone call back asking me if a home visit was really needed I told the gp if you dont come I’m calling 999, I told him for past three weeks you’ve made excuses about not coming out telling me its aches and pains are normal after birth. I’m sick of it I just want to be able to care for my.baby are you going to come?’with 60mins a gp turned up. By this time my parents turned up. She got a long 6″ thick needle out and started testing my legs, I couldn’t feel anything nothing then she asked me to turn over and my mum told me she was testing for sensation up my bum and around my private area. I felt nothing the only part I could feel was my big toe.
She phoned a neurosurgical ward up.at the hospital they asked alot of questions. They asked when was I last on toilet for bladder and bowel I knew it was longer then two days. I also said its nit working for a longtime. I was taken straight to hospital they did the tests again. I asked for pain killers so I could look after my.son because I knew he waa ill. I knew he was milk intolerant. But the doctor who examine me asked me to raise my legs which I did right to my.head. he said normally with back injury you cant raise your legs but I could. He was going to speak to the consultant, next thing the consultant surgeon came to examine me, me was asking about the numbness and the burning pain..I said could I have some pain killers and go and see my baby who needs me. The consultant said I know your baby needs you but we need to get a emergency MRI done first. I asked why ? He just said ” I know you could lift your legs but I’m not happy about all your numbness. They did the scan I was surrounded with men and women in scrubs. The neurosurgical team and consultant told me I needed surgery straight away. My discs had gone central crushing my spinal cord. They said because it had happened for such a long time they didn’t know if they could help much but they needed to try. So I was operated on the consultant surgeon told me you could see that my spinal cord had been crushed for a longtime and him tried to space things out to see if any recovery. Unfortunately over the months nothing got any better, I remember it was my first physio appointment after surgery I went they told me this is as good as it gets, while I was there I had a .masive fit and they couldn’t find a pulse. The crash team were called and my husband run through with our baby to witness it all. I woke up to find my husband a wreck at the side of my bed with our son. I recovered and a month later I went to have some spinal injections pain killers and steroids. Within a few days of the injections I got so ill. I had developed meningitis I was very ill plus they thought id had a bleed on the brain. It took me a longtime to recover.. but I did in neurosurgical wards you see patients who are dieing in the room at the side of me was a young man he had just had surgery trying to remove a spinal tumour but it was impossible for the surgeons to move, he was in his last ours and surrounded by his family and friends and rugby team. I thought to myself how lucky I am.having my.life. it was awful watching him pass and seeing his poor family. So I vowed that ok I’ve changed my.life changed but I.need to make the best of everyday.. but the hard I tried to get my. ife on track the more problems I had .I unfortunately fell down the stairs again and did even more damage to my spinal cord but I decided not to have surgery because of the nerve damage that I have.. they give me morphine patches to help with the pain, but my skin peeled off so I ended up on a mixture of tablets. I was on a cocktail of 85 tablets that kept me out of bed. Itried to keep stronge by running in the water and swimming but as my incontinence got worse I was unable to carry on. I learned how to catheter and do bowel evacuations. Ithen came the social workers and benefits. Thats another nightmare. But shortly after I got meningitis again I was in hospital months..
But again was determined to try my best to live my life with my family. My husband had a breakdown caused by seeing me … iur relationship suffered he had a problem with my postive attitude. He told me if id been you id kill myself..he became a abusive so I left he took me to court saying I was not well enough to.look after my baby. Eveb though id looked after him since he was born. While I was in hospital my sister ot his mother looked after our baby. Social services backed my husband for custody which I couldn’t understand he’d been abusive to our son. The court said it was a 50/50’split which were heartbreaking for me id always done everything for our child ways worked hard cooked and cleaned. But my husband told them I was mentally ill I had to endure a full psychological test which was so stressful. But I knew it would be ok I have nothing to hide. So I underwent the tests . They came back nothing about from all my health problems and not been listened to caused trama. They said I had post traumatic shock.also because of the abuse me and my.child had gone through.
I told the court when you see your young child trying to shield you you know its time to leave. . The courts offered my husband help and so did his gp and gradually we became friends again. When I moved back.in a social worker wasn’t happy and told us she was putting my son.on.child protection, I said I understand why but I.promise if he abuses us we’ll leave straight away. I have to say it my.husband was wonderful , he worked hard at building our relationship.. then a few months passed not seen anyone frim social services. When I child is on child protection they should be checked ince a week.. she came and told us she was moving it up to PLO a step before they remove the child. I couldn’t understand why my husband had not done anything wrong. Infact our relationship was better then ever. I couldn’t understand why this worker was doing what she was doing. It went to PLO and finally heard the reasons what she was saying about our family. Everything she was saying I could proof it was false. She stated my son didnt have a routine, he still had the same routine from when he was a baby I had so many witnesses to that. Then she stated we never helped him with his school work so we took every project my son had done and always was voted top of class., he even won the easter display. With war of the eggs. We put so much time in to.our son it hurt us to think people thought we were unfit parents .again we heard nothing from them for 12 month we got a letter saying we were going to PLO. That was it id had enough I wrote to anyone and everyone but everyone wouldn’t believe us they’d believe the trusted worker. The head of department came to see me I told her id recorded the worker threatening us, telling us she’d do what she wanted and we couldn’t stop her. The head of department told me it’s usual to change worker but given the relationship breakdown then it would be a good idea. Things changed straight away my child came off child protection and was signed off by two very good social workers. We was told for some reason she wanted to split our family up. We had to fight so hard ,but when your involved with social workers they are so trusted. The problem is when one worker is lieing to the whole department. They go on what the worker says. I’ve just finished writing a complete for how my family was treated more so my.poor child the child suffered emotional abuse from that worker and the child started making themself sick and if anyone knocked on the door our child thought it was someone to remove him. My child paid the price for a worker who had it in for me and my.husband. We are still healing with what we went through. We know most social workers are good workers unfortunately that worker isn’t. Id really like to take her to court fot what she did, but mu.husband is still upset and traumatized by it all. But I want to stop her doing it again. The head of department reassured us that the worker never done this before, but all I know is what she did to us. So if id not fought I would have lost my child. There is no way that is happening.
Then I had the benefits on top of fighting for my son I had to fill.a esa form in I sent it back with a pile of paperwork sent it all recorded delivery. Weeks later I’d not heard so my sister phoned, they said they’d not received it lucky it was recorded delivery so I could even proof who sigbed for it. I got a letter says I didntr need a medial and they put me in to work group, within days I got a letter saying I had to attend job centre. My sister and husband took me . The last behide the desk, had tears in her eyes when my.husband told them what had happen and how I ended up the way I am. She said you shouldn’t be here, she phoned the ESA asked how come they’d sent me to them, I was clearly not abled to work.. but I begged her if you can find me a job please id much rather work then live like I do. She looked at me she said I’m sorry you can’t work. I said but this is a back to work meeting. Please if you cab get me work I’ll do anything I really DON’T care.. I just dont want to beg for benefits. I hate it I remember tears trickling down mu face id just had enough. The manager came back you can go home you should never been.here. I again was heartbroken I felt I was good for nothing. A few days later I got a call from a decision marker he told me I’m so sorry for all your upset you’ve gone through and distress it caused I want to tell you I’ve awarded esa support group and the longest time I can give it you is 2 years. He was a very nice gentleman totally different from atos. He told me money would be back dated and told me what to do next time a claim form came. Nearly three years passed and a new form came I did what he told me and within 6 weeks I got a letter stating I’d been put in the support group.again. shortly after that I was awarded DLA which was for life but I know that doesn’t matter anymore now, I know they’ll be another fight but im already prepared. But what scares me the most is universal credit and waiting all that time without anything. I really DON’T know how we’ll manage. Its going to be so hard I have mortgage to pay so I know the following year is going to be full of stress let alone my health problems, I know I need major bowel and bladder surgery because of nerve damage everything is prolasped they wanted to pull everything up using a mesh, but I’m lucky because so many people had major problems,so they are using my.muscle wall and putting a superpubic catheter in to stop incontinence.. Then I need more spinal surgery . Plus my husband now is very ill worked for 35 years for same company he was rushed into hospital with a burst gallbladder and now found other problems. We are in a home that isnt suitable for me its on three levels. We were told to apply for a disabilities grant. Our house was classed as no suitable so you dont get no extra help at all. We applied to the council for rehousing but because I need a bungalow most bungalow are over 55 and unfortunately I’m no were near that age.. they wont put younger people in a bungalow thats for over 55′.
So.I live downstairs because I fall so much on stairs. But when you have no feeling its easy to do.
I know ive got to fight but I’d much rather fight and be a live and living then dead..
Yiou must fight please because the day you stop the day you stop living. There are so many people that would give anything to live another hour day month or year in your shoes just to have that time. There are so many people in worst state then us we really need to be thankful for what we have. We really don’t see how lucky we are to actually be here.. I thank everyone everyday for helping me..I’ve met remarkable neurosurgeons who are full of compassion and can’t do eenough for you..they saved me. And they save so many everyday and I’ll be forever grateful to them for alk they have done.they’ve been amazing team
I’m sorry you’ve had such a terrible time but if you ever need any help you can contact me I’ll help anyway I can. I’ll help you.fight .just don’t give me please
Sorry for length of my story but I thought it was important you saw my.battles to. But the more they throw.at you the more You’ll just dust yourself down and start again.
Nina , you are the strongest, bravest person I have ever heard of, I am in awe of your determination. Honestly you are an inspiration and I wish every blessing on you and your family
Dear Karen thank you firstly for reading my mega story. I’m sorry for the length and the detail but I wanted to let all disabled people everywhere see that no matter what you have to fight. No matter how many set backs. you just have to keep knocking louder on their door until your heard.
I know people DON’T want to do this but we have too. We DON’T get no choice. Since the Olympics games they put disabled people in their sights. I remember the speech “look.what disabled are capable of” he was giving them their gold medals and removing their disability cars with the other hand. It was all over the press “I can’t train now they’ve removed my.car”. I knew then. But what they fail to relies most disabled people cant run around a track. Most disabled people their biggest challenge is trying to get out of bed and getting washed and dressed, I know I personally feel like ive run a marathon. Then its everyday tasks that take us 10x longer to do..
Been disabled is a constant fight unless you have 24/7 care and with cuts no one is that lucky now unfortunately.
I’m not brave I just have no choice I’m not prepared to lose everything..no one knows what each of us go through, but what we can do is be here for one and other to give strength and advice and a shoulder to cry on. It’s not a competition,we’ve all suffered and still suffering. But if you give up fighting they won’t come banging on your door offering you the money that you could have claimed them days are long gone.
I want to help every disabled person and their family out there fight, its wrong and should be illegal what they are putting though. They have robbed us of our human rights. They robbed us of our care,mobility and a right to live our life. They want all disabled tucked away at home so they never leave the house. 30yrs ago there was massive encouragement for disabled persons to get out and about and have some quality of life. But what this government is doing is setting us all back to that mindset if your sick or disabled you have to be at home in bed.. why hate crime raisen by 200% against disabled people.If these figures where at any other group of people eg Muslims,jewish,Christian’s,immigrants, racism, there would be a public outcry but because its US its ok.
But its not ok.
But since our own government is making us all targets then why shouldn’t everyone else. The press have targeted us constantly. They are always running stories about people faking illness and disability and ripping off the system. Truthfully I have to say I don’t see how its possible with amount of checks they do into your medical background, Now its on you to send the proof in but before atos you had to send permission for them to speak to your gp and consultants..
Over next few months I’m looking in to setting my own helpline up for disabled people. To give them the in sight I have learned and to also to be there for as many as possible. I’ve never done anything like this before, so I have a lot to learn. But I want and need to help. There is a great injustices going on if I can help one person I will give it my all.
If anyone else would also be interested in doing this I’d really like to hear from you.
Unfortunately the citizens advice is run off their feet. But I’ll offer moral support and also get many government department involved, I’ll contact your councillor your MP you have to aim high. I’ve already start work on a website.
Its for disabled people I want it ran by disabled people. If anyone could be willing to help it would be so good. Because I have a feeling there will be a flood of people needing help.
Alot of help lines were axed because of funding provided by the government.
This one will be run independent of any government funding. It will be disabled people joining together to help each other. Please if anyone can help please send me a message. Love to hear from you, I know your sick and disabled so am I but I CAN’T and won’t sit by and let vulnerable adults be treated this way!! We need to stop this.
Thank you Karen for your lovely reply please keep us updated about this lady. Pleased if I can help anyway I will.
Its time the government faced disabled people.
Disabled people didn’t feel like thier the only one this is happening too.. if they know there is a whole network to support them.
I was asked years ago by shop mobility to set a advice stand up at their shop. But it just covers one area we need everyone to reach us.
People with mental health problems will feel supported knowing a whole team of mixed disability is behind them and actually having someone at the end of the phone when they get their letters from the DWP.
I really need to help this is the only way I can think.of setting this up.
Let me know any feed back please.
Whether youd use this phone line or not.
Thanks for reading.
.
Am going true hell to much to put on text.
This is how the hard right deal with the sick and infirm. If we can slaughter millions in foreign lands under the pretence of democracy, it’s no big deal to start killing off anyone who doesn’t come up to scratch on home turf…And, this is all being done within legal guidelines. killing folk who are ill legally, charming!
Iv just lost my ESA after my so call medical Said I spent hours a night siting at friends house Said lived in bunglow even though I could walk up stairs Iv had part lung removed got copd ad several other things wrong most do not get better just worse But did say when tested my breathing low reading but because I could not do right so dismissed Ihave got no points had no points when I first got ESA so they must be saying I improved which I cannot Even Said carried bag which was things in it which they said they wanted to see I have got 11 months before state pension if I live to take Said did not get breathless at all was not intrested in papers I took with me I looked at what he put it’s like a fairy story So get your medical recorded I will be puting a complaint in I also know my illness I have good days and bad also know not fit for work So when it comes to winter and I don’t have any money and can’t look after my self and keep warm If I die because of this just thank our uncaring governments Who just look after people at top Iv worked all time until I got ill why no one cares But I will fight I won’t give up
My husband is 60 yr old has had 5 hearts attacks a triple by pass ,has celiac disease,osteoporosis,lung disease,sleeping beauty cindram & has 2 letters from 2 different surgery that he is unfit to work the citizen advice has just taken the DWP to court this has been going on for over a year now & has been refused again,he is still working as we cannot afford to live with out 2 incomes as we are on minimum wage jobs , it if a joke !