Need advice on finding work.

JJB

Hello all,

I'm sure you get this quite often on here, so I apologise if I'm repeating it all over again but I'm in need of help and advice concerning finding work. I have RA in both ankles, knees and right elbow, unfortuantely along with very flat feet which doesn't help things and very recently got diagnosed with secondary raynauds (hand pain like I've never felt in my life) I'm 23 years old by the way. Now I've been previously on ESA and was starting to make positive progress, I'd signed up to join a charity (Advanced Employment) who help people with specific disabilities find work and was looking forward to getting advice and getting help from them. But I went for my medical a few weeks back and had an interview where a man couldn't have been less interested in me. To be honest the interview was a bit of a joke.

Anyhow, as you might have expected they took me off ESA and the disability advisor (a lovely lady named Judith) was rather surprised at how the interview results read and advised me to appeal. I did but again they said no (despite doctors note and detailed info from my rheumatologist) I realised they weren't going to give in, it couldn't have happened at a worse time to be honest with the progress I was making. So I knew appealing again wouldn't work, they'd made up there decision. So recently I signed up for jobseekers allowance and today went to have the introduction interview. Trouble is I have some real concerns.

For example, it was clear from today's appointment at my local job centre that the man didn't care about the arthritis and the limitations that bring. The man I saw today barely even acknowledged it, and that worries me a great deal. It's not like I don't want to work, I do. But I know I'll need better support and I feel that is what I was getting beforehand. Secondly I was advised by Judith to try and get sent to her as an advisor again, after all she specialises in people with disabilities but the chap I talked to today suggested that that would be difficult, so I'm being referred to someone else. Another worry is I've heard nothing from the charity I signed up for, I signed up with them through the Job Centre and the advisor Judith even spoke with them. Now I know things are rough and I'm sure there busy seeing a lot of people, but not having at least some acknowledgement worries me.

Right now I feel helpless and lost, especially with how optimistic I was before when I was getting proper advice and help, I get the feeling they don't have to care about you once your off ESA and what disabilities you might have. So I'd appreciate any advice, is there any options that I might be able to consider for help with finding work with arthritis.

Sorry for long post, not sure who to turn to and Arthritis Care have been helpful in the past.

Thank you.

stickywicket

Hi JJB. I'm afraid I've no experience with this sort of thing as I've had DLA for more years than I care to remember. There are just one or two things I can think of that might help.

Firstly, if you post this on the Living With Arthritis forum you may get more replies. We used to have a member who was very clued up on work-related stuff but he's not posting recently.

Also, our Helplines might be able to point you in the right direction for some help.

And DIAL or your local CAB office might be useful.

Sorry, that's the best I can manage but I do feel for you.