SO STRESSED

sbolam

Hi guys and gals.

Just found the AC site..

I was diagnosed with OA back in January for chronic knee pain and given diclofenac 50mg and 30/500 cocodamol. as prior to this was just taking anything i could get my hands on.

I was also told i should make a self referral to see the physiotherapist, which i did and was given some exercises to strenghen my weak right quad muscle... but I was finding these difficult.

I decided that I needed some help so applied for esa..sent letters from my doctor and the dwp sent a form to my physio. They all said the same thing, that I had long standing chronic knee pain and that I had problem sitting with knees bent for long periods and walking can be a struggle and that cant walk further than 60/70 mtr without having to stop because of the discomfort..dispite all this I failed the medical getting 0 points, and asked for a reconcideration and a copy of the report.

A week or so later I get another Failed reconcideration letter detailing there reasons..

I felts so angry and sick, as it read as if I was lying and making everything up, and that becuase I managed to get from the train platform to the taxi outside the station which is longer than 200 mtrs..but I was never asked this question and if they did..i would have stated that I have to stop a few times and rest lean on stick as no seating was around..

I stated during the medical that there is a church at the end of my road which on bad days do have stop there and rest (about 20/30 mtrs away from house) but becuase they could not find it on google maps..I am not a reliable witness..POPPYCOCK I found it in seconds.

I am sooo angry..I have contacted dial who are helping me with my tribunal, which is at the earliest in November.

sorry for the rant. i just needed to get it off my chest as I never asked for any of this yet I am treated like a layabout scrounger and all round scumbag criminal..

traluvie

Hi Sbloam,

Welcome to the forum..
Sorry to hear you are having a tough time at the moment..
I too have just appealed against my decision regarding esa.. i was awarded 0 points too..
I too was very annoyed and can understand how you are feeling.. i have contacted CAB and am waiting for them to get back to me to arrange an appointment..
I think the system is very tough at the moment because of all the fraudsters..Which is not fair on the genuine ones i know..
I am feeling quite confident i will win my appeal as i know at the moment i wouldn't be able to work i will not be able to do anything repetitive and walk or sit long distances, because i feel this i hope i can put this across quite confidently..Hopefully CAB can advise on the best way..
Wish you well and feel free to post any questions..Let us know how you get on..

weejean

Hi Sbolam

Aw poor you, its bad enough that we all have to live with arthritis without having to feel that we are liars, frauds etc. I have osteoarthiritis in every joint which is just getting worse as I get older. My mobility at present is very poor but like everyone else on this forum I push myself every day to try to have a good quality of life. I have had to fight constantly to get benefits and help with adaptations to my house etc. There are times when I get so angry and frustrated with other peoples attitudes, whether they are sitting behind a desk telling me what I can and connot do or even so called friends who think because I have arthritis and receive help I should not be allowed to have a new car, go into town or enjoy myself in general. On a good day I might manage to walk around a shop and buy myself something to wear only to be judged by other people who clearly think I should never be allowed outside and obviously have no need of nice clothes etc. Sorry for the rant but when I read your post it just got me going. I hope you get the help you need for your tribunal. Keep fighting.

Love
Jean x

frogmorton

Hi sbolam

Good to meet you

Sorry about the ESA it makes me so mad l could SPITTTTT hock:

I keep saying this but l think all of us who get turned down should stagger to see our local MP and show him all our documents and ask him/her to bring it up in parliament!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the only way to prove that it is a cruel and fundamentally wicked system!

Ooops! :oops:

sorry rant over

Love

Toni xx

lilyflower

Hi Sbolam
welcome to the forum, it looks like we are all going through ESA at the present. I agree with frogmorton we should all bombard our MP's and get the system changed. It isnt fair on those who can't work. I would love to work but no one will employ me because I would be having a lot of time off due to arther. Keep on fighting its the only way. Good Luck.
Jackie x

hileena111

Hi Sbolam
Welcomr tyo the forum.....hope you find the information and support you are looking for on here....sorry cant help you with benefits.
I dont get any except my blue badge.
So its just to say Welcome and i hope you enjoy the forum

Love
Hileena

sbolam

Thank you all for the welcome.

when I first failed the Atossers Medical..and saw how much he forgot to mention or just plain got wrong. I wrote to my local mp who wrote to the DWP but tbh..it was a total waste of time...

I think it made the Dwp dig there heels in further.

Its not the failing the medical that gets me..its the fact that the medical is not impartial..all the odds are stacked against you. I get the impression that if you can lick a stamp you can work..

It all seems a money saving exercise and nothing to do with giving the right help to the right people..

chile168

Hi Stephen,

Sorry to hear about the problems you have been having but it's not surprising as most of us have encountered the same problems. Yes they do make us feel like liars..........PEEEEEEEEEEEEES me off.

I intended to fight them all the way because it's about recognition that all this pain is not in our heads. I attended a tribunal and theres is normally a panel of 4 and the clerk who is taking every word down. They should send you a copy of everything before you attend. They all take it in turn to fire questions which is quite daunting.

Reading your post reminded me about the day I attended tribunal. I parked and walked across the road. I can't remember the distance but felt as though the weren't taking into consideration the amount of times I had to stop. Well, it was a small victory for me and awarded low rate mobility, some recognition. I was later moved on medical grounds so they had to recognise it and put it to higher rate.

I eventually entered on the form, exactly how I walk, when I stop and how I lean on things. Didn't even bother with the metres.........

Forgive me if I have misunderstood some of your other posts but wanted to say that before getting moved and high rate, I called the council and applied for the Blue Badge.

Goods luck

Eve

sbolam

there is nothing to forgive...I have not applied yet for DLA..as I really cant fight them on two fronts..so want to get the ESA thing out the way first.

I have now just downloaded the form for the blue badge..and just need to get the photos done. I did go into town yesterday and I cant believe how much it costs for just 4 little photos £5.00 what a rip off.....my mate is back from is hols in a few days so i will ask him to take a couple of snaps and I will do the rest in photoshop..£5.00 for 4 photos thats just MAD!