ESA DECLINED

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  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    angel1 wrote:
    Wow, well done Carol. I can`t tell you how much I admire your fighting spirit. A girl after my own heart!!

    Rest awhile now, and re-group.........Ange.x.

    Thanks Ange :lol:
  • tillytop
    tillytop Non-active member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Oh Carola I am so, so, sorry that you are having to go through this and angry beyond words on your behalf.

    The only positive thing I can think of to say is how much I admire your fighting spirit and have done from the very first post of yours I read. You could not possibly be doing more to fight this illness of yours and hopefully this fighting spirit will continue to carry you through.

    Thinking of you.

    Lots love and hugs,

    Tilly xxx
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Tilly

    Thank you for your kind works and support.

    I must admit, half an hour after reading the letter I had a wee greet through sheer frustration however quickly realised that wasn't going to do me any good!

    I cannot tell you just how much everyone's support and words help me.

    Hope you are having a good day today and a fab sleep tonight.
    Thanks again, Carol x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Non-active member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    You get some sleep too. Check those letters again tomorrow: try not to be too emotive, stay cool and detached, finish with a strong, punchy and personal statement. You have the skill, the tenacity and the spirit to see this through. Shame them, carola. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • tkachev
    tkachev Non-active member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Carola,

    I am always at a loss on the ESA crew. They seem to live on another planet.Its a game to them....you are right to feel so angry.
    I no longer have faith in the system but unfortunately they are playing with sick peoples peace of mind.

    Good luck with your dealings with mps and the press.

    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi DD and Elizabeth

    Many thanks for your messages and hope you had a good sleep last night. I had a fab sleep for once ..... must have really tired my mind out yesterday haha :lol:

    DD - yep, think have vented my frustrations out via this forum so feeling cool, calm and collected for my letter writing and been re-reading them to ensure they are not splattered with lots of emotion!

    Thanks again my Friends and have a good day today.
    Carol
  • julie47
    julie47 Non-active member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Mornin carol

    Glad you slept well, puts you in good frame of mind for your letters

    good luck with them

    love julie pf xx
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    julie47 wrote:
    Mornin carol

    Glad you slept well, puts you in good frame of mind for your letters

    good luck with them

    love julie pf xx

    Aw, thankyou Julie. You have a good day too :lol:
    Carol
  • tkachev
    tkachev Non-active member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Carola,

    Glad all your emotions are now spent as you need a clear, cool, composed head now.
    You are right about them deciding the outcome before they even met you. They have to turn you down and in order to do so they have to distort the facts. I think deep down they know you deserve it. They are just making it an unpleasant experience, maybe to put some off.

    all the best and stay focused,
    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Non-active member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Carola

    Sorry to hear this. Glad to know you are going to appeal. I would send them a letter regarding bending and standing and keep a copy. What a farce this system is!

    Good luck.

    Sharmaine


    carola wrote:
    *%^$ £@%& !!
    I went for my ESA 'medical' assessment last week and 5 mins ago received in the post a letter advising that they find me fit to work.

    I am so angry I can hardly type.

    The Atos 'medical' assessor is [being economical with the truth]. They say I scored zero points eg I can bend or squat to pick up something on the floor? I didn't bend over as I couldn't and the list of [economies of the truth] goes on and on. For 2 days after my 'medical' I was in agony. [Texts amended to prevent defamation]

    I cannot believe that all the tax I have paid all my life is squandered on a contract with Atos [text deleted].

    Once I have calmed down I shall be organising meetings with my MPs and MSPs, writing to David Cameron, Atos etc and contacting my local paper.

    I feel bad enough having to give up work in March, not having a social life and trying to put a brave face on telling myself that once I find the right pill I will get my life back. How dare these penpushers suggest I am lying and belittling my illness. [Text amended]

    F5&k them all. They have no idea how much I shall pursue this.
    Carol
    PS Hope you all having a pain free day

    [Text amended by moderator to prevent defamation]
  • tillytop
    tillytop Non-active member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Carol, just popping in to see how you are today and how you are doing with your letters. So glad you had a good sleep last night after everything that happened yesterday. I find that even a small amount of good quality sleep makes the world of difference to how I cope with things. One thing I thought of (you may already have done this) is whether it would be worth obtaining your own reports from the GP/rheumatologist which you could then include with your letters? You might have to pay for the reports but at least you would have them to copy and use as needed. The other thing I do is always ask for copies of all the letters sent about me to/from GP. You mentioned I think in a previous post that the consultant had said how impressed he was that you were doing so much to fight your illness, and if you could get that in writing it could be good ammunition for your campaign.
    Keep fighting Carol! Thinking of you. Love Tilly xxx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Non-active member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    You are a wonder tillytop - what good advice. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Carol,

    so glad you slept well last night.....exhausted no doubt with all the anger and emotion of yesterday. :wink:

    good luck with your letters and hope your meeting with your MP & MSP goes well and they support your actions.

    thinking of you,

    Iris x


    ps. no decision letter in post today.
  • silverbreak
    silverbreak Non-active member Posts: 46
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    carola wrote:
    The Atos 'medical' assessor is [being economical with the truth]. They say I scored zero points eg I can bend or squat to pick up something on the floor? I didn't bend over as I couldn't and the list of [economies of the truth] goes on and on. For 2 days after my 'medical' I was in agony.
    you have my sympathies. Latest figures for successful ESA customers would suggest that only a tiny proportion of applicants succeed. I have been wading thru some ESA apps that I have been sent from another forum and the common denominator seems to be the false hope that the 'medical' will be fair. In fact its's an assessment to see if able to work and very biased towards that view point. The following is an extract of one I was sent yesterday:-
    Client was able to sit on a chair with a back for 65 minutes.
    The client rose twice from sitting in an upright chair (with chair arms)
    without physical assistance from another person.
    The client was able to bend to the floor and get up again to pick up an item
    without assistance.Stood independently for 5 minutes without difficulty.
    The client walked 35 metres normally to the examination room.
    Gait observed to be broad-based and I found this consistent.
    Was able to get onto the couch without assistance.
    Did not appear to have any difficulty using a step to get onto the couch
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Sharmaine and Elizabeth

    Really appreciate your support :lol:

    Have a good day today.
    Carol
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Tilly

    That is a good idea - thankyou.

    I telephoned my GP yesterday and he said that Atos and DWP have not been in touch with him requesting his opinion or medical report. I have left a message with my Rheumy asking the same question.

    All these handy tips are gratefully received as I know I will not think of everything so thank you again.
    Carol
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Iris

    I was thinking about you when I received my post today wondering if you had heard anything.

    Hopefully no news is good news?!

    I am crossing absolutely everything for you ..... well, the bits of me that permit!

    Thinking lots of positive thoughts about your outcome.
    Carolx
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Silverbreak

    Interesting reading, isn't it? I feel so sorry for the poor souls who are so worse off physically, financially and emotionally than me who obtain inaccurate results.

    That's why I am so determined to help in my little way to highlight the glips in the current system.

    Like I say, I cannae very well sit here and rant and moan and not try to do something about it.

    Thanks again.
    Carol
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Oooooh! A wee bit of progress.

    An MP's assistant has just telephoned me to double-check a few details and told me he is posting today a letter to DWP about me. When they receive a reply he will call me to arrange to meet to discuss DWP's reply and next action.

    A wee step in the right direction gives me alot of encouragement. Even if it doesn't help my specific case hopefully it'll help others at least.

    Carol
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    alanmancunian wrote:
    Carola
    Just read this thread with almost disbelief, I can't get my head around these guys at all. All the best if you appeal, and I will kepp looking to see how you go on. ( bast....s ) Alanmancunian

    Many thanks for your encouragement Alanmancunian :lol:
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I had to reply to Silverbreak's comments and was surprised to see the excerts:-

    My examination said

    I could walk 40 metres to examination room..I dont know where they get this from as I can remember ony walking a few mins down a short corridor...Do they measure that from where we parked our car?????I estimate i walked 12 metres in building so where they get the 40 from?
    Able to get up from a chair without difficulty with arms.....Well my chair had no arms and i struggled to get up, had to put all weight on stick and desk.
    Able to sit for 65 mins...Mine said 40 mins, stated I was sitting straight legged and seemed un comfortable but not in much pain...I didnt feel could get up when someone asking questions.........
    The quotes about the couch are exactly the same as mine....Even though i needed the step and the examiner helped me up and down holding out 2 hands...Something she omitted from her report...Wonder why???
    My decison was made the same day, she was running behind by an hour as they had no rece[tionist there first thing...So she works 9-5, has an hour off for lunch and conducts about 5 examinations a day and mine is completed by close of play???? Hmmm, efficient....

    Elainex
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Elaine

    Reading the inaccuracies you detailed makes my blood boil and all the more determined to have someone held accountable for these errors. This is messing around with people's mindsets and health never mind the negative financial implications.

    The limited report I have rec'd so far (awaiting the full report) states I can walk 200m without difficulty. What a load of tosh as well as a whole other load of tosh.

    I will not allow either Atos or DWP to hide behind their line of Atos professional merely reports their findings to a DWP appointed decision maker. Someone has to be identified accountable for these inaccuracies and inaccurate decisions and I am doing my utmost to identify. Then and only then perhaps a new and improved system to seperate the fraudster claimants from the genuine claimants in need may be devised and implementated.

    Many thanks for sharing Elaine.
    Carol :lol:
  • woodbon
    woodbon Non-active member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello Carol, Your post could have been written by me after my ATOS medical, except that I got 6 points for having to stand up and move once or twice. The medical facts were all wrong she answered questions she hadn't asked me which said I could do things that I can't, I took, as they said I could, a letter from my GP and the report from the qualified Occupational Health doctor who had retired me and allowed me to have my Council occupational pension, at the rate I would have got had I worked to 65, as he didn't forsee me being able to work again. Luckily this was a copy, as they lost it! :x

    I know that you must feel very down at the moment and angry, a whole mixture of emotions going on. You must appeal straight away and if you havn't got the full medical report yet, a document with all the questions and answers on and why they have refused you, ask them to send it as soon as possible. You should have a form to fill in to ask to appeal, fill it in and send it. If you change your mind for any reason, you can withdraw the appeal at no cost or questions, but if you don't request an appeal in the first, I think, 14 days, its very hard, if not impossilbe to appeal at a later stage. Thats the first important thing to do and it may make you feel a bit better, as you are taking back control.

    I hope you do get somewhere and I hope you soon feel better, I do understand and I said when my refusal came, that I'd leave it as I couldn't go through it again and I still feel like that at times. You're not alone believe me. I read in the Times today an artical written by a doctor on behalf of GPs, saying they think the Atos medical is wrong and GP's usually get things right and only sign off the unfit to work, not the people who want a bit of time off.
    Lots of love, Sue
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Sue

    Many thanks for taking the time to send your message.

    Yep, I sent a letter to appeal the same day. I actually went to the job centre and had them fax it to them and then post it so they cannae say they never received it.

    One of my MPs has called me today to say he has sent a letter to jobcentre today too.

    Thanks again.
    Carol
  • noeltone
    noeltone Non-active member Posts: 878
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Having read this about atos i am convinced an organised event around thier premises in Nottingham would publicise their ways and get much needed media attention we could get other support from illness support groups opposition mps if there are any iniolved and show them atos and govmnt up at least how about it i did suggest this before.

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