moonchildhippy
Group: Members
Posts: 1807
Joined: Dec. 2004 |
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Posted: April 20 2008, 10:10 |
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| Quote (Silver Negus @ April 16 2008, 15:36) | I went to a tribunal recently to represent the fact that I felt entitled to assistance with travel due to my type of breathing illness. And I had my facts and files with me from consultants and suchlike. And I have to say, the lawyer and the doctor at the tribunal were extremely concerned. Yet, because it was deemed that, I 'did not come under the government guidlines.', they could not deem myself as entitled. Yet, if I had have had some lesser physical illness I would have been entitled to this assistance.
Does anyone think I should get a petition together? What do you think about 'government guidlines' It souds almost like some narcissistic title. |
To cut a long story short I did try and claim DLA (lowest rates) for myself recently , but was turned down. I was signed off by my doctor in June last year due to stress and depression, I was stressing out over finding work. I used to be a carer for my disabled ex husband, before we mutually agreed to separate , as we no longer had what i'd call a marriage. Since stopping caring my work situation has been erratic, I found employment doing more care work, but this didn't work out and have been unemployed from Dec'06.
Shortly after being signed off by my doctor I developed a gynaecological problem, prolonged bleeding and pain in my R/H side ( I think most women will have some gynae probs at some stage). I have periods of feeling very weak and tired, doing stuff such as preparing a meal or housework would make me feel worn out. I thought it might be cysts , Policystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis.
I had a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy on Wednesday, and I'm recovering, feel as if I've done a round in a boxing ring. Apparently I don't have cysts or endometriosis,I'm awaiting another gynae outpatients appointment in 6 weeks to discuss what to do next.
It does annoy me that people with problems that could be regarded as self inflicted can get help, but I along with Silver Negus don't qualify. I would like to know how the DWP arrive at such decisions, as they can't see how our conditions affect us day to day from what we've written on paper. I'm wondering how the DWP say that after a year on the sick I need an extra £25or so pw to live on, but I don't need it now, not that I'm complaining. I know that I found jobhunting stressful, and I wasn't entitled to extra help to try and find work whilst i was claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, but on the sick I get help to find work, when I don't feel up to working. I think my gynae probs add to the stress and depression.
I did look into doing voluntary work and applied to a couple of voluntary organisations back in Oct/Nov they seemed enthusiastic back then, but I'm awaiting a reply.
I just want to get to the root cause of my probs and get the skills to make myself employable. I feel so unemployable at the mo. I can make myself sound impressive on paper, but when and if I get an interview I just make a mess of it. The only work I seem to be offered is care work, but I want to get away from that. I did apply for a couple of youth worker type vacancies, one I had an interview for, which would have involved working with young people who look after a disabled parent or sibling. I have over eight year experience of care work.
I would maybe like to train to do counselling (I did a 10 week intro to counselling course a few years ago, youth work or social work, alternatively museum work or a tour guide in a stately home, ore if I can incorporate my interest in music into my work.
I think the problem I do have is presenting myself as employable to a future employer, especially as I haven't worked since Dec '06. I did try for office type work, as I've done admin work/call centre/customer service work before, but I know that it would bore the pants off of me. I so much want to get myself straight financially, I nearly took a job in May doing more care work, but thinking about it the conditions were rubbish. I know F/T employment would be too much for me right now, but I feel I'd be penalised by the benefits system for P/T employment. I know that I would get stressed out if I had to go back to claiming JSA , and seeking work, (Jobseeking is virtually F/T employment in itself). and I'd be back at square 1.
I'd like to get myself better healthwise, I have a most wonderful boyfriend in Warwickshire   he's been there for me at all my hospital appointments and looking after me post surgery, and he's asked me to move in with him, so I'll be upping sticks for Warwickshire in the not to distant future, I think the best thing to do is look for work up there once I move, and I feel ready to consider working, , as I hate to rely on benefits, and I feel so "unemployable" right now. I know my boyfriend tells me off if I say "I'm u*******able".
It seems the benefits system penalises those who wish to work and can't through no fault of their own.
I know my Mum was putting me under pressure to find work, saying about temp warehouse work, until christmas last year. I think she accepts now that I don't feel well enough to hold down employment. I think I sent her a link to an endometriosis forum I often visit and she now accepts that endo/gynae probs can be a horrible thing.
I wasn't going to post my story in as much detail, but if it helps another woman then something positive can be salvaged from the negative.
I'd just like to get on with my life and be happy , and be with my wonderful boyfriend.
PCOS info http://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/
http://www.endometriosis.org.uk/
Even if I don't have PCOS or endo I've found much useful info on here. I know it can take a while for a confirmed diagnosis.
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I'm going slightly mad,
It finally happened, I'm slightly mad , just very slightly mad
If you feel a little glum to Hergest Ridge you should come.
I'm challenging taboos surrounding mental health
"Part time hippy"
I'M SUPPORTING OUR SOLDIERS
BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!
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shouting at people I didn't want to speak to on the phone, and also to some French lorry driver who forgot that he was driving in England and cut me up on a roundabout when I've the priority. I've also been stressing out over this appointment, what if I'm told the c*** is the only answer, there MUST be alternatives, and will the consultant listen to me, he was fine on morning of the surgery, he did say that he could insert a c*** then, but I wasn't keen on the idea due to the horror stories, but he seems keen to push this c*** idea. I do sometimes wonder if doctors surgeries and hospitals get extra funding from drug companies, as they don't get enough money from the government. Perhaps maybe that's why a doctor told me St John's Wort doesn't work for depression once, but she was happy to prescribe Prozac with all it's side effects. SJW does work for me at least, I understand that Germans can get SJW on prescription, pity I can't in England. 
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. I really was undecided about this coil as fitting it can be an horrendous experience , as can some of the reported side effects, DR didn't do anything re the Mirena , as I'm undecided, but from what I've seen it makes things worse . The other alternative is to carry on with my fizzy Solphadol, tranexamic acid, consultant did say about mefanamic acid, another painkiller, but I haven't been offered the latter. I don't see how painkillers or tranexamic acid (used to reduce bleeding) will affect my hormones , as i get this hormone imbalance throughout the cycle.