Treatment for injustice

just4once

Hello there I have a clinical diagnosis for CPTSD and autism high functioning all I have received so far as way of treatment is pills I am waiting for the court to set a trail date which should be between April and July this year legally I am on my own so been drowning with paperwork and technology for the last two years the cause of my re trauma was work and unfair dismissal failures due to the evidence I have I know the outcome but I am struggling to deal with my emotions mainly anger and frustration as a neuro diverse person I can’t just accept a settlement offer and sign a shut up and go away even though that’s what I have been advised to do I feel it’s in the public interest that companies are held to account for their failures in open court for me to get closure does this make sense to anyone else 

L_Volunteer

Hello @just4once. You have done really well to reach out to us, especially when things are so difficult for you. 

I can hear how you feel you have a lack of treatment and support in place at the moment for your CPTSD and autism.

It sounds like you are mainly struggling with drowning with paperwork and technology, unfair dismissal, and dealing with your emotions (especially anger and frustration). 

As an autistic person, I hear you. How do you feel about the idea of going to an open court? 

just4once

In a strange way I am looking forward to it as the way this company and probably many others treat people despite laws ect needs to come out so lessons can be learned to help both employees and employer’s in the future it’s too late for my friend came close to me a few times too I am not afraid to admit ,going to court will give me the closure needed yes it’s a logistical nightmare and a bit scary too being honest I will be glad when it’s over with .

L_Volunteer

I hear you @just4once. Something has to be said before people can learn from it and start to act on it and improve things for everyone 

just4once

Feeling quite frustrated as an organisation that was meant to be helping me for the last few months now has no record of me at all as the person working for them has left so now back to square one with having to go through the process all over again 

Cher_Alumni

@just4once Oh dear, that's frustrating! Have you spoken with someone who's confirmed this? I would have thought records would be kept and passed on, but I'm sorry if that's not the case. Have you been allocated a new point of contact?

just4once

My mental health advocate emailed me the news and confirmed that this organisation have no records of me I have a new contact name but naturally feel scared that they won’t be useful given my experience so far

poppy123456

If this is an employment Tribunal then it's not a court and you're not on trial. Some Tribunals are held in a court building but it's definitely not a court.

just4once

It is an employment tribunal where the company has behaved dishonestly and put staff and public at risk they will be on trail on a five day public hearing I have all the witness statements and evidence just need to put my own personal statement and impact it has caused including cptsd having to self represent myself to gain access to public justice 

L_Volunteer

Have you managed to put your own personal statement and impact yet @just4once? Hopefully, all of this will be sorted out sooner rather than later and you can receive public justice. 

Also, you have mentioned CPTSD. How are you managing all of this at the moment? Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything, in particular, we can do to support you 

just4once

No statement done as yet as going through the evidence and paperwork is extremely triggering my cptsd I am having to self manage that as there seems to be very little support available in mid wales apart from the medication neither the austim team or mental health team have had little input to date just passed pillar to post I have honestly found more help and support here than anywhere so far and for that I am grateful 

Spoonbill

Wow. I would hope that the advocacy service come through. However...I'm wondering if anyone suggested 'Advocate', the Pro-Bono section of the London Bar? They support those not eligible for Legal Aid - not the full service of a solicitor, but legally qualified and you seem to have done a lot of prep already.

I'm thinking as the advocacy has been thrown off-course and your claim doesn't sound that straightforward you could maybe 'phone 'Advocate' to see if it's worth applying, ideally before you catch up with the original advocacy service? If they can't help, it seems they'd signpost you to somewhere like Support Through Court, which you could also consider (depending on timings etc.). Unless I've missed something (and hopefully someone will correct me if i did!) I can't see much risk there as a general strategy?

Incidentally, I can understand those who have urged you to take the settlement, given the cliff face of struggles you gave. At the same time, your account of the grit and determination you've felt compelled to find is (I think, anyway) incredible. If you continue, as it seems your determined to , then I wish you every success - and hope you get a similarly incredible rest afterward.

Links:

https://weareadvocate.org.uk/apply-for-help.html (+comparable case)

https://www.supportthroughcourt.org/get-help/how-we-help/

just4once

Update still no help but the court date has now been finalised for June 12th in Aberystwyth wales five day hearing because of my disabilities I asked for a hard copy of the bundle for me to try process already found places where evidence has been changed by this big company my cptsd and autism overloaded me and I could not look at anymore today as very triggering and exhausting in every possible way I fell asleep waking up and feeling like **** people think I am strong and brave for doing this in reality it hurts like hell to have to defend my life what’s left of it 

2oldcodgers

I have CPTSD and managed to get DLA way back in time but due to being sectioned many times and spending a total of close to 2 years in lock up they took my DLA off me. It took me over 5 and a bit further years of recovery before I could face making a re-application.  I lost over 7 years of that income which left me in serious debt which added to the turmoil.
I then found out that I could have claimed under the Criminal Injuries Board for compensation for what happened to me. Too late they told me, you have to make a claim within 3 years of the event!

Spoonbill

@just4once just checking you considered the sources of help I gave above? Look after yourself, anyway.

just4once

Everything has been explored and not available however with the help of my daughters we got everything filed I had the last preliminary hearing last Monday and as least the judge seemed helpful it still does not stop the panic attacks but I will continue as I know that people are still being mistreated and distressed working there but have they have no choice due to location and being the only breadwinner too scared of losing their job to speak up 

L_Volunteer

You deserve a lot more support @just4once than just being passed pillar to post Glad to hear you are finding us supportive though. 

Is anything helping you to self-manage your CPTSD at the moment, is this mainly around pacing yourself and only going through the evidence and paperwork when you are feeling ready and comfortable enough?

We are here for you if we can do anything to support you. It is really positive to hear you also have your daughters' support 

just4once

Thank you for reaching out really been hell for all of us really especially as we are all autistic too the hearing starts on Monday until Friday got to be in court each day at 9 am next week I am currently having to make a list of points and questions for this shambles it should never have happened nor continue to happen to others as I personally have witnessed and try to still support what has helped me so far is lighting a candle and using sense of smell and touch to help ground me and trying to release the anger music too has helped at times the gp upped my diazepam for the week in case I need it luckily my benefits arrive on Monday so will be able to get taxis and lifts because public transport is going to be too much I live 30 miles from the justice centre so sixty miles every day but I will do it despite now having a broken wrist in cast and a foot boot after a very bad fall I will definitely look like I am going into battle 😂 I have to laugh really by this time next week it will be over thank god my deepest desire from this is that it will bring change and more understanding for all employers and people in general that people feel safe in their workplace their rights and needs are understanding and empowering that’s my hope 

just4once

Why are people disciplined for becoming genuinely unwell punished for something that is not your fault how do I get wording that nt corporate world will understand  

Spoonbill

I suppose in the ideal world the management involved would see the error of its ways and make genuine efforts to change...; I obviously don't know the personalities involved but - FWIW - in the current economic environment I can't help feeling cynical about the probability of a company showing genuine interest in operating a good relationship with workers for the long-term. Your employer may buck the trend, of course, but on balance of probability I fear that words alone - no matter how sincerely expressed - are very unlikely to have as much as an effect as - say - a recommendation from an employment tribunal followed by publicity and talking with your co-workers/ex-colleagues (depending which way you go on that).

Unions are, of course, specifically trained in industrial negotiations such as is commonly best applied to conflicting interests - so you may want to consider that in future (before problems arise). Incidentally, there is a disabled people's union, although they seem to still have a low profile so can't say if any good. For now, with one day left IMHO I'd be focusing on ensuring the tribunal understand so they can apply the most appropriate judgement, and you can base your next move on the outcome. It's an unpleasant business and I'm sorry you have to go through this. Best wishes...

just4once

I appreciate your time and response thank you