I scored zero points
I'm so angry!
I have joint hypermobility syndrome (which may be hEDS, getting it looked at) and I suffer with both depression and anxiety which leaves me shut in my room. I applied for PIP because I can't look after myself, I'm unable to do things that people my age do (I'm 20). I had my f2f on the 24th of January and the decision letter came in the post today. I use a walking stick to get around, and I'm in pain all the time.
I can't cook standing up, it hurts too much. It's unsafe because my knees sublux and can give out at any moment. I can't stand for long periods of time because it hurts after five mintues. My legs ache and my knees get stiff. I can't shower for the same reasons, and depression gets in the way making me want to stay in bed. I can't manage my treatments, I never remember to do my exercises for my knees and I constantly forget to take my medication. I have a pill box with labelled days of the week on so I can see if I've forgotten, or if I purposely not take them, my boyfriend can see. I struggle to dress my bottom half, and most days I don't get dressed (again, depression). I struggle to communicate with others, I get very anxious and it makes me sick. I was even anxious at the f2f but he lied and said I was fine, despite me telling him I was. I don't engage with other people without my boyfriend around, or other familiar faces. I rarely leave the house. I can't manage budgeting decisions either, my boyfriend made me a spreadsheet which works it all out for me. I can't plan and follow a journey on my own, it causes me a lot of distress and anxiety, especially since I have an abusive ex who I'm scared of seeing. I never go anywhere new without my boyfriend, who went with me to the assessment. I can't walk unaided for more than 20 metres, I have to keep stopping and it's unsafe because my knees can give out. I use a walking stick, but I can't even get far with that. Apparently I'm fine because I got out of the chair properly, but it was high up so I had no issues. I can't walk more than 200 metres like the report says. I can't do it safely or reliably, because days I am stuck in bed in so much pain. I only did one of the examination things, but said it hurt and refused to do the others, but he wrote that I did them all without any issues. Apparently because I take ibuprofen before bed meant that I'm not in pain, because it's a "low-dose medication" even though I said it didn't help. I've actually just been put on stronger medication because of it. I even said that my boyfriend does a lot for me, he basically cares for me.
The assessor lied about everything. Apparently me having dyed blue hair means I'm fine, my boyfriend helped me do it. Apparently because I go to uni means I'm fine, despite the fact that I never attend and have the emails to prove I don't go.
I'm just so angry and upset that I didn't score anything, despite the fact that I'm not able-bodied at all. I wish I was fine, I really do. I'm only 20 and I feel like I've had my life ripped from underneath me, as I can't go out with friends or do normal 20-year old stuff. I spend so much money on medication (indigestion tablets, I get bad acid reflux which makes me wake up with bile in my mouth, I did take a lot of ibuprofen, I luckily don't pay for prescriptions), uber, special tape for my knees to help support them, buying a walking stick.
I'm going to ring them up tomorrow and ask for a mandatory reconsideration, but I know for sure I'll have to take it to a tribunal. The stress of all of this is getting too much. How is this system so flawed? They shouldn't be allowed to lie, if I can't lie on my application then they shouldn't either. It's unfair. It's not like I don't have a diagnosis, I have a diagnosis for everything. It's so unfair. Why can people falsely claim it so easily, but when I try to claim it for legitimate reasons I get nothing? I even did the self-test thing and it said I should get enhanced rates for both daily living and mobility, and that was with me judging myself on a good day.
