Am fit for work??? i wish..grrrrrr

traluvie

Had letter from ESA today saying they have stopped my claim.
Following the work capability assessment it has been decided you are fit for work...
Fit for work, they are having a laugh.. i lost my job few weeks ago as i was unfit for work, i have even had to stop doing all my voluntary work i was doing as i am unable to do it anymore due to mobility,tiredness and generally feeling crap..
I love working have worked all my life.. if i could get a job and commit to minimum 16 hrs a week i would gladly do it.. my hopes are that in the future i will be able to do this, but at the moment things may have improved slightly on the pain front but my mobility is getting worse..
I rang the office up as i did not recieve my medical report stating the reasons why i was classed as fit, they have resent it..The lady explained on the phone i need to put it in writing the reasons why i think i am unfit for work..
Been sitting here 3 hrs now trying to think of how i can word it or explain my reasons why..Started writing all my tablets i take the reason why i am taking them and side effects i get..thats all i got so far and only wrote one tablet down lol..Then i thought shall i do an average day.. but then i thought how would i write it..Get up at 7 take tablets and stay in bed till stiffness and pain subsides...Then i don't know what to write as i normally will have wash and 9 times out of ten just sit with feet up as i am unable to do much more..
So it is kind of baffling my head and just needed to let rip so to speak lol..Really has stressed me out if i'm honest.. not a godd thing.. panicking now as will not get no money this week either.. no warning nothing??
Thanks for listening..

stickywicket

Traluvie, I'd imagine you're now feeling angry, hurt, mixed up, fed up, doubting yourself - the full works.

I guess you can't do much until you get the report but your first two paragraphs say a great deal and I also think your other ideas of listing your meds and what they are for plus taking them through a typical day might help. Also maybe pasting in some of your thought on here over the last few weeks when you've clearly been going through the mill. You'd probably have to pare everything down to its bare essentials but maybe worth a try.

I'm sorry. I do feel for you. There are a lot of crazy people in the world and, unfortunately, you seem to have come up against at least one of them. Good luck.

frogmorton

Hi Tracy

l am so sorry - you don't need this.

It's why l worry when people leave work because they are not able to do their job anymore. They have THIS battle to contend with now.

It is so so so wrong :evil

I think each and every one of us who gets turned down should stagger to their MP with the letter and ask him/her to bring it up in parliament.

This is the only way we can change the system which rewards staff for failing us.

Love and (sorry for the rant) hugs

Toni xx

traluvie

I am angry Sticky...
If i could go back to work now i genuinely would.. money is so hard.. gone from 2 people working to none.. my oh not got a job as he needs to get son from school, i am unable to do so cause of the distance i'd have to walk..Also he would only be able to do partime as i need him to help with tea and various other things..I think they must think people do it for teh fun of it.. i guess it is hard with so many fraudsters out there..but it is so unfair for others too..
Be interesting to see what the report says..
Have just wrote a brief letter stating that i am appealing as i do not think they have understood how inflammatory arthritis affects me..and that i would like any documents forwarded to me that were used in making there decision..
I n the meantime i will be gathering evidence to support my claim..

stickywicket

I can well understand your anger, Traluvie, but it seems to me that, despite all that, you're dealing with this very well. I have to go out now but I hope, by the time I get back, others might have been able to think of other means of tackling these

---

s.

elnafinn

I truly sympathise with you Tracy and can understand how angry you must be feeling. This stress will not help you at all either.

From what I have gathered from others on here, you write about your worst day, always the worst scenarios. I know that in writing it down and when you read it back you will be upset when you see in writing how bad it is for you, but that is the truth and those concerned must be made to understand and appreciate this.

I do hope that this time around they will change their minds. They must, anyone with half a brain would see from all the evidence that you are unable to work and never wanted to leave your last job in the first place.

Hugs
Elna x

traluvie

You think i should write a letter from the heart explaining the difficulties or do you think it will be better formal??
Have finished writing up my list of medication what it is for and the side effects from them.. one less thing to do..me hands aching now lol.
Think i am going to stop for a while before my brain goes into overdrive..
My son will be back from his induction day at middle school soon (we were both so happy this morning, because i was able to take rhys to his new school) so i need to snap out of it soon..brush it aside for a wee while.. refocus again another time..

traluvie

All that pent up anger i put on paper earlier has made my hand swell like a balloon...

Poppyg1rl

Hi Tracy,
Oh it makes me hopping mad (in my head, if I could hop I'd fall over ) when I hear these sorts of things.
My advice? 1: Bombard them with EVERYTHING get your OH to take a photo of your ballooning hand now while it's bad, 2: get down to your GP or Rheumy preferably both and alert them to what's going on. 3: see if you can get hold of DIAL they are very good at this sort of thing. 4: has your OH registered with The Carers Association? Or social services at your local council?. Sorry long list I know :oops: but why should you accept an unfair decision? Get everyone on board even your MP if you can.
Sending you much love and supportive hugs Xxxx

jillyb1

One more thing to add to everyones advice , mention how long it takes you to write to them , or get someone else to write the letter for you stating that this was necessary . I feel very angry on your behalf and hope you soon get something positive . Jillyb

traluvie

Good thinking poppy cheers..
Have took photo..
What is the carers association?? Am not due to see rheumy till end sep..Will make appointment to see GP..Am waiting now for the report to come through so i can argue the reasons why they say i am fit..

Jilly.. i was thinking of writing up my evidence on laptop as won't be so bad on my hands and explain why..

Thanks

julie47

oh traluvie

My head is spinning too for you, trying to think of how you should write your letter. Luckily others are better with words and have given you good advice.

I am so sorry that you have been given this grief.

I hope you compose a letter soon and wish you tonnes of luck.

Sending a big hug ((((((()))))))
Love juliepf x

Molly1

Hi Tracy,

I really feel for you. I've not got experience of arthritus + benefits, but my son has Aspergers and I remember filling in soooo many forms to get benefits for him a few years ago. Autism is similar to arthritis because there are often no physical problems that people can see and it's hard for people to understand how hard life is.

I kept a diary of my son's day and entered anything that showed his difficulties coping with 'normal' life. Really obvious things like not being able to go to the loo, being in the same room as other people, trying to cope with sudden changes in routine. You get the gist!!!

Try and get colleagues past & present to write observations about how difficult you find everyday tasks.

Certainly write a heartfelt letter about how you feel, but I think these idiots who work in these offices usually only deal with facts.

Keep going. Don't let them beat you!!!!

Love
Molly xxx

julie47

Morning tracy
Popped in again, I hope you managed some decent sleep.

I have fingers crossed this morning that you feel a little better and that you can now manage to write a really good letter.

take care
juliepf x

tkachev

Hi Tra,

I'm so sorry they think you are fit for work. I feel they push people nowadays to state their case. Why they can't see how bad you are at these medical/assessments I don't know.But it seems to be the case that everybody is pushed to prove their point. Do you have any proof that you left work due to ill health which you can send? Going to see the GP is a good starting point as they may be able to help by sending a report.


My OH also gave up work to help with school runs and help me cope. We successfully applied for DLA, Carers and tax credits. You can get tax credits depending on your annual income, which must be low at the moment and although it is another set of forms to fill in it might be worth it. Also might help with a claim for free schoolmeals and help with council tax. These are just suggestions that might help you cope during this difficult time.

Good luck with the middle school. My daughter starts in September too.
I'm so glad you were able to see him on his transition day.It must have meant a lot to you both.

Best wishes
Elizabeth

stickywicket

Lots of good ideas from Poppy and Elizabeth, Traluvie. I hope some good will come of all this.

How are you feeling today?

traluvie

Afternoon all..

My hand is not so bad, i can use it so that a gd thing lol..
Thanks for your advice all..
I have a letter from work stating the reasons for dismissal, i have kept every letter regarding my health for situations like this should they arise..
Elizabeth.. i have got tax credits etc, had a lovely lady from the benefits who helped with that.. shame they can't all be like that...
Had my report come through this morning..I was awarded 0 points..saying i can walk for over 200 meteres without severe discomfort?? err no..
I can sit or stand for more than an hour without severe discomfort?? er no..
Can reach a hand above my head, to scratch it yes but not at full length cannot reach to get things from shelf oh has moved things around for me..
All the medical letter and stuff from work they awarded no points from that too.. So have been on phone talking to CAB.. lady was lovely and was shocked to hear that they have awarded me no points at all considering all my adaptions and medical probelems..she is getting my local CAB to ring me to arrange an appointment to get the ball rolling..
I need to make sure i got the fight in me.. its ok on days kike this but when i really bad your mojo kinds of gets up and goes.. so you need to make sure you keep me in line so i stay focused ..
Thanks all you are a great support..

stickywicket

Count on us, Tracy, to keep you in line. We have our whips polished & sharpened (or whatever you do with whips) and we'll be checking your every move. And I shall personally withold your evening glass of plonk if you step out of line. Good luck!

traluvie

stickywicket wrote:

Count on us, Tracy, to keep you in line. We have our whips polished & sharpened (or whatever you do with whips) and we'll be checking your every move. And I shall personally withold your evening glass of plonk if you step out of line. Good luck!

Dunno about the sharpened bit.. Don't need an excuse for a glass of plonk though lol.. i drink more on here than i do in real life lol.. if only it was the other way around..

traluvie

OMG....

I am so angry i am shaking..
Just had my medical assesment form in post..The nice man who did my medical, turned out to be a complete liar..
The lies he has told in the report is shocking..I have rang up the esa to complain but they said i have to put it all in writing with my appeal..
Here are a few of the lies he told..
Was able to carry bag with both hands(funny that because my partner had my bag over his shoulder)
Was able to take my coat off without help from others with buttons and put back on..(my partner helped me take coat off was already unzipped No buttons and i never put my coat back on while i was in there)
Said i can use the kettle. now i have my kettle poure yes but that wasn't mentioned..
Can use a microwave and toaster despite pain..(well yes if i was on my own and i needed something to eat i would be able to use the items to do so) am not able to open oven door or put crocks away or lift pans etc but none of that mentioned..
Then here comes the good part.. He said he done a physical examination on me.. Now all he asked me to do was stand, lift each leg up and arm above my head and then got me to squeeze his fingers..He has said in the medical..
I can do a full squat no problem
I can lift both lefet and right leg straight lying down no problem
Both right and left hip moves fully.
Both knees extend fully..
He never done none of the above tests..
I am completely dumbfounded....

stickywicket

I'm sure I'd feel exactly as you do in the circumstances, Tracy, but clearly this guy has played right into your hands for your appeal. Even better, you have your partner to back you up. If you feel up to it maybe you could also lodge a complaint against him and his so-called expertise. This is totally unacceptable. It's just a great pity that your claim will be delayed by his....what?....incompetence?...no, just lies. I don't think you will need us behind you with the whip. Go for it, girl!

traluvie

Sticky..

I will def be planning on lodging a complaint against him..My OH and i are both astonished with what he has said..
Am now going to highlight all the inconsistincies (long word spelt wrong lol) in medical assesment form and await for my phonecall from CAB..
I checked out his registration.. he is qualified as a nurse but not qualified to prescribe medicines. so how is he more qualified that my GP to say i am fit for work..
I could go on for ages.. my blood is still boiling am reading over the report again and again..Must stop before i go insane.. Sticky might need an earlier glass of plonk at this rate lol..x

stickywicket

Sorry Tracy. You asked us to keep you in line on this thing so I'm afraid alcohol is off limits for you until you've sorted this out. Clear head and all that. I'll pop a nice bottle of water in the fridge & some ice cubes to cool you down. I will, of course, drink to your success later!

traluvie

Well if water is all i can have then i shall be sneaking out the back door to the nearest off license lol....
Am off to sister in laws to chill out .. so am going to freshen up ready for my lift.. nice chilled out evening ahead..
New day new beginning tomorrow..

lilyflower

I feel your pain and anger Tracy, I had an ESA so called medical last week and the lady who did mine was a doctor.
It must be a standard test for all as she did exactly the same things.
I am dreading the phone call which should come next week, going by everyone on the forum NO :x one has passed.
I too will be fighting my corner along with you if it goes the same way.
How dare they say your fit for work after a twenty min so called medical.
I am undergoing counselling at the moment due to all the stress and pain I'm in and the fact that I can't get to work anymore and have lost my independance. It is not just the physical pain that affects us but the mental pain too. I hope you win with your appeal and don't let them grind you down. Enjoy the weekend ahead and switch off for a few days so you can resume your fight on Monday. Lots of luck. Jackie

madwestie

Tracey I was shocked to read the post and what they have said it is scandalas they can do this to people.

We will be routing for you and helping to keep you fighting spirit alive and well

Tracey