Going to keep this thread now!

ps Freda

I was under the impression that the DLA was divided into 2 parts...care and mobility component.

I'm not sure how this GP can refuse as even if your hubby is working ..what if he had to late start due to maybe your illness and be at his job for less time due you needing more help or care in the mornings or something..(just an example)..you would with think that the care part of the allowence would cover that wouldnt you..?

I know it sounds a bit crazy but maybe try the mobility component?...bizarrely you may have a better chance of getting somewhere?

hugs

R and D xx

ps ..CItizens advice can sometimes be good at knowing what questions to ask...xxxx

Thanks guys,

Yeah SA everything is means tested now except DLA. I will be appealing, and asking my advice worker if I can get hold of a copy of the info the GP sent. She is a bit weird, because she is very supportive in a lip service kind of way, saying I've had a bad time of it, and it's not fair etc. but then doesn't actually offer me any help or refer me for more support.

Just would have made financial pressure a lot less - even 20 quid a week, as we are very sensible anyway. Would have meant I could venture out and about on a bad day, knowing that I can afford a taxi back home safely if I got confused and anxious. One time last winter, it was freezing - about -5 - and it took R over 30 minutes to coax me home, because I was just frozen with fear and couldn't move.

Anyway, it is what it is. I may have to take it on the chin, it is just frustrating that these government dickheads are making it so tight for vulnerable or disabled people, that it is hard to get out and about. It will take me longer to get better, and I have already been going round in circles for 12 years. I don't want to be trapped by illness, unable to function, for the next however many years just cos I'm poor.

Hi Freda,

Thank u so much 4 ur lovely post on my diary 🙂

It sounds like u r going thru a really tough time atm, I feel angry 4 u 🙂

U deserve nothing but happiness Freda, I have so much time and respect 4 u 🙂

I hope ur appeal goes well and u get all the help u deserve 🙂

Take care Freda xxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Freda

Could you tell my frustration! grrrrrrr...scrappy doo...

I get so mad sometimes..(no s**t sherlock.lol)

In my job ive heard so many cases like yours as a lot of people in sheer frustration and weariness come to our sector when they have been churned out the other end of the production line with very little real help and the stuffing knocked out so less ability to fight. ..

Often we cant do anything but at least we can listen and give time,look at the person! and mean it whereas

people are not getting that.

Like you say,part of the illness makes a person more isolated so that small amount would go a long way to support you as you try and get your life on track.

As an ex agoraphobic ..I feel for you f...I have been stranded many times in town,hyperventilating and not being able to drive back and having to leave the car overnight..It was that bad once that an ambulance was called and had to have an oxygen mask!..

At least with some extra income you could go out knowing that if you felt anxious you could come home safely and immediately.

I hope you get somewhere today f ....sending you my little Dotty as mini scrappy doo to nip some ankles if necessary....

Doggy Power !!

R and D xx

Hi Freda.

Hope your feeling better.That GP of yours sounds like a right ******!

Life at times can be a right pain in the a**e!

Just want to wish you my best and don't let anyone ever make you feel like their better than you,no matter their position or wealth!Your better than that Freda!

How many people has your GP really helped?

I just want you to know you have helped many on here from just being you!Thats worth more than any pay check..your honesty on your diary and being you has saved more lives and families than you'll ever know!

Your GP can't live up to that.

All my best.

Viggo.

Aw thanks Viggo! :') and ladies : )

Well got an appointment with advice worker this coming Monday, and we are going to appeal! They were so disgusted that I got nothing, that the manager of the mental health support centre, is going to write a supporting statement for it. That should hopefully carry some weight. I have also finally relented, and decided I have been given little choice but to play dirty.

I shouldn't have to turn my life into a ridiculous pantomime, just to get what I am entitled to. My GP and her laziness has forced me to it. The following Monday I have a GP appointment, which I will attend with no makeup, uncombed, unwashed hair, and smelling of alcohol. I will take a support worker with me, and basically tell her I have given up, because you are all determined to "break me" I will start rambling about how I think GP's are in cahoots with the Tories to oppress weak and vulnerable people, until they kill them all off and they are no better than Nazi's. Maybe she will recognise some signs of distress from her "General practitioning for dummies" book.

You have got to laugh haven't you...

On the plus side, I have still been attending my dharma class every week (church for Buddhists) and art group, and counselling. I am genuinely starting to feel a bit better, but it is going to take ages until I feel strong enough to go back to work.

No gambling to report!

Hi freda

I do understand ...and youre right...it shouldnt have to come to this.

So many times I have been open handed with an expectation of reason and help from people who are in a role to help and then end up getting worked over by the system who just want to control.

You have to resort to dirty play and personal humiliation as the system often is set up to fail.

Good for you for finding a flip side and I would love to join you in your dharma class and art group...! I think thats fantastic.

keep strong and keep your head held high..

R and D xx.

Hi Freda... you will probably win on appeal and yes when it comes to it do take someone with you, an advocate of some sort, someone who knows what they are talking about. Go looking unkempt and properly anxious and unable to maintain eye contact etc etc. I'd leave out the alcohol bit unless your making a case for alcohol problems. I hope it works out positively for you. take care.. S.A

Hi LOvely Lady,

I so sorry to hear of your problems,just been catching up on your diary hun and youve been having a really rough time of it.

I have to agree with your hubby and his comments about your gp,people with money dont even think aout how an extra 10/20 quid can make a difference to people with not alot.I also think our doing the right thing with an appeal and going to the GPs looking unkept as she might pull her socks up.

On the up side though hun still no gambling so youe got that bit licked:0)

Chin up lovely lady and routeing for you all the way.

Stay Strong

L xx

Hi Freda,

Just popping in 2 say I hope u r ok and staying strong 🙂

Have a gr8 day xxxxxxx

Hey freda...

Just a flyer...Hoping all is going ok your end and wondering if your making progress with the powers that be...

Gonna try and wean off again...switching to reading and new job....

I can only try..

hugs

R and D xxx

Thank you for checking in on me girls : )

Sorry I have gone a bit quiet. I have found it terrifying taking an advocate into the GP's appointment with me. It felt so aggressive and confrontational. I needed a lot of support and reassurance, that I was doing the right thing, and still feel a bit sick in my stomach and sad that I didn't know what else to do.

The doctor was really angry, and that was hard for me....really hard. However, the upshot of it was, that the doctor ended up actually agreeing to write a letter in support of my appeal!!! thanks to my wonderful advocate, helping the doctor to put her defensive guard back down and assuring her it wasn't a personal attack.

It was sad to hear my doc telling the advocate some bold faced lies, but validating to notice that she is a lot more helpful when an advocate is present. Kind of reassured me, that I did have a point there somewhere, and wasn't unfairly criticising her.

I feel absolutely wrung out, and drained - but faced something terrifying head on. Proud of myself, because it took a lot of bravery.

I'm looking forward to catching up with you all when my mind and body have recovered!

No gambling to report - determined not to make myself any more vulnerable than I already am.

hey Freda...

A result hun...and a bittersweet outcome so not whoppin up here becasue we know at what personal expense this has come.

Its horrible to have your reality doubted and not know on the sliding scale if what your asking for your needs is too much,too little..on and on .....especially when you are entitled to it.

It shouldnt have to be that way or come to this .

Well done for standing still in the eye of the storm....that takes guts...and you should be proud too.

rest up..batton down the hatches and take a long bubble bath....

best of all gamble free..

biggest hugs

R and D xx

Thanks Rach,

I will be ok. I have bounce-back-ability! which may not be a word, but should be!

The advice worker helping me is excellent, and she says she wouldn't give me false hope because it would make me feel worse, but she will be shocked if I win nothing at all with this appeal. There are various levels and categories of disability support, but just one of the lowest categories would give me a fighting chance of keeping my head above water, until I am stronger.

It is sad that the system works against people. I want the same as the the government in that I want to be earning and paying taxes and off benefits completely - but it will take me twice as long to get back on my feet, if they continue to make people try and cope with no financial support at all.

I am hoping that this time next month I may have the result that I need.

Oh dear f. Sorry to here you are up against it with ATOS. I was fortunate. Good supportive doc and a very nice guy from MIND you filled in the forms for me. I am getting middle rate care and low rate mobility. A big help.

Anyway the best with it. Miss you. Come and have a natter soon. 🙂