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juejue
juejue Member Posts: 63
edited 25. Jul 2009, 19:04 in Benefits and Working Matters archive
i work for the city council as a support worker i am getting redeployed to something i can do which is not much at the moment i have OA in my spine and knees and maybe RA most days i carnt walk i carnt drive anymore what can i do even my fingers are sor and swollen

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  • smillajasperson
    smillajasperson Member Posts: 37
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    juejue wrote:
    i work for the city council as a support worker i am getting redeployed to something i can do which is not much at the moment i have OA in my spine and knees and maybe RA most days i carnt walk i carnt drive anymore what can i do even my fingers are sor and swollen

    Oh dear - we are a poor lot aren't we?!! Like you I have OA in the lower back and knees, and in the last few weeks I have been getting a lot of pain in the joints of my thumbs, my wrists are very weak and the pain travels up to my elbows - I'm just hoping this will prove to be carpel tunnel and not the further advance of the dreaded OA! I am a self-employed home help and getting increasingly worried about just how much use I am going to be to my 'old dears' if this continues! I am already on light duties - no cleaning now, and am just cooking lunches, doing shopping etc. I'm 49 and already more decrepid than most of my customers! It is difficult to feel a sense of self-worth sometimes isn't it - and so much of our identity is in the work that we do.

    All I can suggest is we try to keep our chins up and try not get too down about things - easier said than done I know! You are probably thinking 'what a stupid woman - she clearly has no idea how I feel!' - but I'm not being flippant or making light of your problems, I do understand how difficult things are and how bleak things can seem - I just know I would go mad if I didn't try to keep my sense of humour and try to at least bring a temporary smile to someone elses face! Its the only way I can cope. Coming on this site is a real lifeline and there are some fantastic people on it.

    I'm sorry I can't offer any practical or useful advice, but I'm sure your work will be able to find you an acceptable alternative - at least they are willing to try! Good luck and hope things work out for you!
    Smaillajasperson :)
  • eileenc
    eileenc Bots Posts: 118
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi juejue - Sorry to read that you're feeling bad just now, and the worry of possible redeployment won't be helping. I am in a similar position - I work for the local council as a special needs nursery nurse and am going to the works occ health next week to look at redeployment for me. I suppose we are lucky in the fact that we work for the council and it will be easier to find alternative work for us in such a big organisation.
    I have RA too - last week I was in total agony - not being able to walk much without my sticksand hands, wrists and shoulders acting up too so I wasn't too confident about redeployment being an option - this week is slightly easier because I've increased my pain meds and had injections in my ankles, knees and shoulder - still in pain but feel a bit more positive about managing a different work role.
    When you are in constant pain it is difficult to see a way round things - especially work. I always try to think that the bad days will pass and just try to get through them the best I can, not an easy thing to do when the pain and the emotional turmoil that goes with it kicks in.
    Thinking of you and cyber hugs.
    Eileen
  • gemgirl
    gemgirl Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    hi been reading some of the posts regarding working and claiming dla with ra
    i have had ra for 10 years and working for local council doing 2 jobs 1 driving and 1 bus escort for handicapped adults
    my ra is worse than ever now my feet are painful but i manag to struggle along ..
    i mentioned my worsening condition to my rheumy and about claiming dla he did me a great letter telling dla of my deformed toes and feet when he was filling in the form he asked me how i was only on my bad days i answered him honestly telling him i need help sometomes during the night getting out of bed when my joints are bad i cant cook meals because of my hands being swollen so i need a lot of help at home which my husband provides i stressed i can only walk a small distance before my feet hurt like mad but i was willing to carry on working because it helps me stay mobile which i think is important in ra anyway i have been awarded high mobility and high care allowance but what do i do regarding work i have been told by various people i cannott carry on working with dla as i have been awarded the highest award i have been off sick a few months but i intended to go back when i felt a bit better any input would be helpful
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    You can work and get DLA at the same time, I do although like you am off sick.

    Chin up, or you'll sink...
    :)

    Janie
  • gemgirl
    gemgirl Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    hi
    i have looked at my letter i recieved from dla
    and according to my family . and friends 2 who are on dla already ...
    i am not supposed to work if i get the highest rate for care and mobility as the letter says ........ i get full mobility because i am unable to walk or virtualy anable to walk and because i need care frequently though out the day and periods through the night
    so will be imposible to return to work
    but i never told dla i couldnt walk at all only that i couldnt walk far without pain in my feet and my husband helps me with my needs a few times aday which he does i cant cook ameal but my argument is
    i can drive my car and i can walk afew yards to get on my handicapped bus for work i only have to sit in my seat and help 2 people off the bus and my driving job i only drive a van and drop off a few letters everyday small walking involved
    i am really depressed over this now although off sick at present what are my options if i feel i can return to work am i breaking the rules of dla ?
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi, I've just been medically retired by the council; I was a Care Assistant with elderly dementia sufferers and could no longer take the physical side of my job. It was hard and I had to go through a long process but sometimes you have to accept that you can't do something because its harming you. Redeployment was ruled out for me, but I get my pension early.

    I hope you get sorted and all goes well. I do know how worrying and difficult it is, so send best wishes to you. Love Sue
  • juejue
    juejue Member Posts: 63
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    woodbon wrote:
    Hi, I've just been medically retired by the council; I was a Care Assistant with elderly dementia sufferers and could no longer take the physical side of my job. It was hard and I had to go through a long process but sometimes you have to accept that you can't do something because its harming you. Redeployment was ruled out for me, but I get my pension early.

    I hope you get sorted and all goes well. I do know how worrying and difficult it is, so send best wishes to you. Love Sue
    I HAD MY MEDICAL TODAY TO SEE IF I CAN GET DLA I HOPE IT WENT WELL
    DO YOU THINK WORK WILL DO THAT WITH ME I AM 46
  • gemgirl
    gemgirl Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    hi thanks for all your replies
    i have finally come to realize i am fooling myself into thinking i can still do my job ...
    it just feels like i have given up now... i dont think thier was a time i havnt worked .apart from having the kids.. it feels wierd .. like you sue i work for the council and i know they will pension me off so wil accept that and start to do more things at home with my grandchildren i am eternally grateful for my award it will help me a lot and i think mabye i havnt accepted the fact how the ra has affected me .. i have been in denial thinking i will get better sorry if this sounds a bit self centered i was very active before ra reared its ugly head .funny though i was at a padiatrist last week getting some advice on my feet for some insoles for my shoes he said to me how are you coping i said oh ok you know trying to forget i have it but stuggling on and he said to me .. i deal with ra patients every day and i deal with other patients who are no where near as disabled as ra patients yet they are such a lot of moaners he said i find i have to bite my tongue and long to say to them come and meet some one with ra problems and you will find cheerful determined people who live with thier conditions without moaning. give me ra patients anyday ..i was humbled
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