nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

Overwhelmed

Tegan

Sorry, this probably isn’t the right place to vent. But I’m on my own and I’m overwhelmed and I just… I just don’t know what to do.

I have Nocturnal Epilepsy, Dissociative Seizures when I’m stressed during the day and Fibromyalgia which has impacted my mobility. Its got worse since August and I’m now skipping eating some days as I can’t afford the energy to eat.

Now on top of everything my downstairs flooring has collapsed and they have discovered Dry rot - that was 4 weeks ago now. I own my house, home insurance won’t cover it and I can’t go anywhere as my house is adapted for me and I have my seizure alert dog but the stress of situation is flaring my fibromyalgia and seizures and I’m at risk of going through more floor every day.

Don’t worry I’m not expecting solutions I just needed to shout into the void.

Oh and I had my PiP review the day before the dry rot was discovered and assessor was awful so likely about to lose my award too 😢

I’m sorry for being so negative and whiny, like I said I’m just overwhelmed

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Pickle72

Happy to listen Tegan. Sorry to hear about everything that’s been causing stress.
I don’t have solutions and you haven’t ask for any. I own my 210 year old house and when the roof leaked it wasn’t covered by insurance. It was a very dark time but it was sorted but it affected my health badly too. A friend loaned me the money and a very good family member repaired the roof. I hope you find yourself with helpful family and friends.
Wishing you all the very best for you and your loyal, clever companion.

Cyhyraeth

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/139140/overwhelmed

Speak to your local Council. They have a duty of care towards you, and if you are disabled and in a dangerous living situation they need to do something about it.

I own my place and a few years ago I put my hand through my bathroom floor when I was attempting to clean it myself. After just living with it for quite some time I decided to call and see what would happen. After discussion with the person from the Council who came to see me, who initially said they don't do repairs I was informed they have a duty of care and was approved for a disabled facilities grant. They then basically replaced the whole room

Zipz

@Tegan I think the strongest person would be overwhelmed by everything you're going through on top of your disabilities. Bless you.

@Catherine21 has given sound advice about the assessor's report. Any claimant would be wise to have a copy of this key document. I was interested to read @Cyhyraeth 's post about the council/ duty of care. I think it worth pursuing and quickly by the sound of it.

Is your mobility so bad that you can't leave the house? I'm guessing it is. It's hard when walking and public transport are not options to get to community hubs that serve hot meals free or for a tiny sum.

Carry on venting if you need too. These forums are for mutual support.

Ostia

So sorry there is a lot going on at the same time. In addition to contacting your Council you could check out turn2us.org.uk to see if they can help you with extra benefits or funds. Your Council should also have an emergency household fund or discretionary fund, pls don't sit in a cold house or cut down on food.

Finally re PIP, sometimes assessors seem unpleasant but eventually give a fair hearing, they like to scare people, sadly. But if they do mess around with you and you can't get a fair review or mandatory reassessment, try your MP. I have resorted to that twice when the DWP were not reasonable and each time they backed down after the letter from the MP. You will need to explain exactly how your conditions affect you and why the PIP is so vital to you.

Best Wishes

Adrian_Scope

Thank you for sharing so openly, @Tegan. You’re absolutely not being negative or whiny. It takes courage to speak up when things feel overwhelming. Have you had a chance to look at anything suggested by our members here?

Were your home adaptations funded through a Disabled Facilities Grant?

Tegan

sorry for taking so long to respond to all your replies.

My home adaptations were all small things like banisters and bath boards that came from adult social services I think, I don’t actually remember- I just woke up one day disabled so it was all a bit of a blur at the start. The rest I paid for myself and again they are more aids and adaptions to layout like removing doors etc and grab handles.

my situation has got worse, more of my flooring has caved in, and the dry rot is now sporing causing me asthma attacks, migraines and dizziness. I’m seeing a GP Monday

Will look into the Disabled Facilities Grant but it’s hard to keep two thoughts in my head right now. I just want to cry

Zipz

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1076105#Comment_1076105

Show your GP these photos. They might be able to help you find support to support you through the process of getting this fixed. (Everything is so convoluted now, I know.) Your doctor must know that you're living in very unsafe and unhealthy conditions.