Arthritis, work and benefits

teresagrove

Hi - not been on here for a while but maybe you can help?

I am a teacher and my 'arthritis journey' began in earnest 3 years ago.

I had a THR in Feb 2010.

It has now been discovered that I have severe degenerative arthritis in both hips / knees/ back/ankles/ wrists.

I am in a lot of pain and discomfort at all times - taking tramadol for pain.

Since my THR, I have had 6 fluoroscopically guided injections into the hip joint not yet replaced and into bursitis in my thigh, a labral repair and femoral head decompression - only partly achieved as not enough cartilage present and a knee arthroscopy which determined that I also need a TKR in the near future.

I have been off work since May when Occupational Health decided that I am not fit to work due to the nature of my disease and that I have to be considered under the Equality Act.
Although my GP gave me a 'may be fit to work' certificate on Sept 3rd - my school refused to have me back on Health and Safety grounds due to the number of stairs within the building. (no lift)

OH have said that I am fit to teach 1:1 or in small groups but not whole class teaching.

School have said that they cannot keep me on fulltime on that basis - so where do I go from here and are there any benefits that I can claim.

I have been teaching for 34 years so this is a very hard blow for me.

Many thanks

Teresa

helpline_team

Hi Teresa

Thanks for your posting.

I'm really sorry to hear about the pain and discomfort you are currently getting and the difficulties you are experiencing at work.

For more information on your rights at work and help that you may be able to get, see our booklet on working with arthritis at http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Listedbytype/Booklets/main_content/WorkingbookletJan11.pdf.

For information on benefits and any grants you may be entitled to, you could always contact a benefits specialist.

You can either contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm), DIAL UK (http://www.dialuk.info/about.asp), The Disability Law Service (dls.org.uk/about_us/contact.html) or Turn2Us (http://www.turn2us.org.uk/), or your local Age UK, if you are over 50 .

You are welcome to ring us on the Helplines, if you would like to have a chat about things.

All the best

Nick
Helplines Team