Social Worker?

missronzo

I currently have Fibromyalgia and have now been told that I have Complex Reginal Pain Syndrome as well as a physical disability which makes walking difficult and many mental health difficulties. I at times am bedbound from the amount of pain I get. I no longer have access for a wheelchair and I use a walking stick or crutches but I think I need a new wheelchair. I get enhanced PIP for both, the support group for ESA and LCWRA for UC. I have a blue badge and disability freedom pass just so you can understand that I get everything I am entitled to.

I am going to apply for a needs assessment from the council because I need help around the house, I live alone. I need prompting to do a lot of things but also I need help with cleaning and tidying due to my pain.

I also have been assessed as having autism but due to not having an informant was told my test was inconclusive. In my assessment letter, it literally says how I met the entire criteria for autism in great detail but because my parents didn't give an informant I didn't get diagnosed. I am being sent for an ADOS because they can assess me without that for a diagnosis and because they do think I'm autistic but cannot say I am on paper. My assessment does say my struggles though in detail too.

I was abandoned by my CMHT who was supposed to give me a care coordinator when I left MH inpatient last November but I never got a follow-up or anything. My GP has been very supportive but there is only so much she can do.

I would like to have an advocate as I am really struggling with my mental and physical health. A friend suggested I apply for a social worker but I cannot find any information for one as I am an adult.

Would that help? How could they help me? Do adults get social workers? Is there any other help I can get? Can I complain about the lack of help I am getting from CMHT?

Also, what kinds of things can an OT from adult social care provide me? I'm already in a disability-friendly flat with a wet room. I don't need help showering but I need prompting for almost everything. I also have a very bad memory so I forget to eat etc.

Albus_Scope

Hey @missronzo sorry to hear you're struggling, an advocate could certainly help you. We have a fair bit of information here regarding advocacy which you may find useful? Have you been in touch with your GP to let them know you're struggling mentally? They may be able to offer some advice there too.

I'm hoping the community will be able to give some more support on all of this soon. 😊

66Mustang

I have someone who is called a "Peer Support Worker"

I don't know if this is a countrywide thing or a new thing, but mine is really good. They don't actually have any like academic qualifications in medicine but they have personal experience of lots of the things they have to deal with which to me makes them just as, if not more, qualified to help. Mine has been a lot of use to me, on par with some of the best doctors

They don't really seem to have a set job but they just ask me what I need, and as long as it's not something unreasonable they seem to either do it themselves, or try to get me someone who can

I got them through my local mental health team

This might be something to look into