I survived the DLA appeal today!

patriciamary

Arrived at the building feeling very uptight and kept wanting to turn and run away, my daughter said to me "you can hardly walk so why dream about running" we both went into fits of laughter and once we calmed down went into the office. Only waited about ten minutes and their admin chap took some details first. The lady from the disability office who was supposed to come with me was off so I could either cancel the hearing or just go ahead. I decided to go ahead, I had built myself up for the past few days and thought its now or never. My daughter was allowed to come into the panel with me in case they wanted to ask her any questions. The panel was 2 ladies and a man. They asked me loads of questions each individually and took a lot of notes. Im ashamed to admit it but when they started asking about my IBS and how I manage my toilet needs, I started crying. I was so embarassed and felt humiliated. It was like stopping 3 strangers in the street and telling them how, due to stiffness and pain you dont always make it to the toilet in time. After playing twenty questions with each of them, and they kept saying "its not how you are now its how you were last April when you originally applied." I had reports from the Rheumatology physio and the OT and made sure they understood that I was waiting to see both of them when I applied and it had taken 10 weeks to see the physio and 3 months to see the OT. They finished by saying that they will let me know within 48 hours and I was so glad to get out I never asked if that would be by phone of letter. I will just have to wait and see but I live to fight another day. The disability office had told me that if they say no then I should just re-apply because things have gone downhill dramatically in the last year.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who sent me support for today I really appreciate it and feel that it definately helped me get through today. I will keep you posted and hopefully I get the right answer.
Trisha

bubbles

I am glad that things went reasonably ok, it is a far from pleasant experience, telling people who you have never met, how you handle various daily activities and functions, it is demeaning to say the least. I hope they gave you time to compose yourself and take a break if needs be.
As you say, you made it through the day and let's hope their decision is in your favour and they don't make you jump through any more hoops.

Take care and keep us posted.

XX ((((HUGS)))) Bubbles.

robertls

I've got fingers and everything crossed for you..............

Hugs................Rob x

dorcas

Hi Trisha,

Well done for coping with that difficult, embarassing and intensive panel

If I were near you I'd pop over with a bottle of wine we could share and give you a big (HUG) for managing to keep your cool under such pressure. :? I'm sure it helped having your daughter there and having a laugh beforehand probably relieved the stress.

Hope you get a positive outcome after all you've gone through.

Iris x

valval

well done so proud of you it must have been awfull them asking you such intimate questions glad you were so brave fingers r crossed for you

suncatcher

Im sure you did well. welldone for faceing the panel. Im pleased to see you find out in 48 hours. Its awful waiting at least now you a over the worsed and i hope you have good news now i really do. all the best joanne

frogmorton

Hi trisher

well done you

Sounds very scary, but as though you did really well and that at least they know everything now.

I will hope for the best for you - and expect to hear from you early this week??

Love

Toni xx

skezier

Hi Trisha,

Well done you. I really am horrified they made you go through this and hopefully now they will do what's right. I got IBD and well I couldn't handle those questions at all so sending you a ((((( ))))) and a hope you will win and hear very soon. Cris x

ironic

Well done you. I really hope you get good news soon. Ix

dolittle

Hi Trisha,
Well done for coping with all that. It's a disgrace what folks have to endure. Think it's about time they got some 'sufferers' on these 'juries', who willl completely understand the situation .... they would also know when someone's putting it on!

Hope you get a positive response, got my fingers crossed.
do little

woodbon

Hi, I hope you will have a positive answer by now. It's something you should'nt have to go through and it makes me see red. :shock: Lord knows, we have enough to put up with. Lots of luck, love Sue