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PIP Tribunal Disaster

Today, I had my PIP Tribunal, it was a disaster, and I could tell from the way they were phrasing the questions, like "you have a degree, so you can..." and "you only take one tablet...", the three person panel, I was led to believe, was suposed to try and understand my difficulties, not judge me, and speak to me like dirt.
Upon being invited back in for the decision, which was a refusal, with 0 points (for both parts), and some words said, as well as a lecture on how "PIP is for people with serious disabilities", that is the reasoning behind my username too, so in their eyes, I don't have a serious disability. I was visibly upset while they were talking to me, I don't remember much of what was said, I really didn't care to listen.
They kept asking me to leave the room, I did, after the 3rd ask, but they didn't seem cared for my wellbeing, I was sat outside in tears, and bashing my head on the wall, I don't know why, other than being destoryed. No one seemed to care, people walked past, got on with their work, it was only the clerk from the tribunal room next to mine that decided to ask me if I was okay, and if there was someone in the waiting room for me. There was, my mum was there, so I have spent the day in rage, in tears, and feeling quite suicidal.
I don't know what to do, because I meet several points in the daily living, I know I do, so to refuse and give 0 points is utter crap. One example is number 5, toilet needs, I use incontinence pads every day, that is an aid, and thus qualifies for 2 points. Do they need me to pull down my trousers to prove it?
The whole situation left me feeling hurt, and humiliated, here were three people, not interested in what I had to say, they only brought up the stuff the DWP said. Did I roll bad, and get a pro-DWP panel? Or am I not really that disabled? Maybe I'm just making it all up, my hand spasms are all in my head, I only take one tablet, and well, I've got a degree!
I don't know if anyone here has any words of wisdom, but I am all out of energy now, my original application was in June 2018, it's now January 2020, and I don't think I can keep fighting. I'm going to need a carer when my perants are no longer able to look after me, but yeah.
Cheers for reading.
"It is possible to commit no errors and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life."
Replies
Very distressing and emotive for you. I had been through many similar experiences.
Please this is not ever your fault never blame yourself.
Remember you done nothing wrong.
Please if I can help you . I am one of the team of Community Champions.
One of our roles is to find, help and give members relevant associations or charities connected to their conditions or disabilities.
Please if you could contact me and I see what help, advice and relevant support is out there for you.
Mentioned this because most will attend the assessments, tribunals speak up for you, the incident you mentioned.
Would not happen, the person who attended if they did would contest it.
I had a floating support worker feisty lady go head to head with an assessor.
Assessor spoke to me not right and insinuations flew around the room, insisting never should have a support worker.
This started the support worker off, and the two verbally arguing.
I got a positive outcome.
Mental health services being one the charities I used all attended assessments, tribunals, benefit reviews.
Signed on again as I did constantly on and off for ten years plus years.
Had this roundabout assessments for more ten years or more.
One assessor say fit and then back to sign on, then around again unfit got benefits and then back years later to sign on.
Constant treadmill. Would have gone on, so used Mental health charities.
Will be no doubt reassesses again why at middle Fifties is there any point, not getting better not getting worse.
Please if I can be supportive please get in touch.
Your not alone, we are here to listen, please going to tag in my friend @poppy123456 to advise you further.
Lady has exceptional experience expertise knowledge on benefits problems.
Please keep safe and warm, also never apologise for having a rant or having feeling emotions, need to talk we here.
I use this forum to chat open and be honest with my feelings.
Only friends are here need to offload, please also if you need to.
Have these suicidal thoughts or feelings may I suggest you talk to some one who is professional.
The Samaritans Calls free 116 123.
One final important point you mentioned a degree . I do understand that , I have lots of qualifications people see me the disability not the person who I am.
All wrong in my opinion you worked hard to obtain that.
If you do feel you might need some help with anything anxiety or depression or those thoughts feelings nothing wrong in seeking help.
I use these three charities
https://www.richmondfellowship.org.uk.
https://www.mind.org.uk.
https://www.rethink.org.
If you do apply will help with anything I had suggested.
Might not be in all areas.
Please take care you a valued respected member of our community.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
You added this is something I do not understand mental health team lost report..
Please can I ask did you ask them to attend tribunal, this is something you needed to do.
Understand not assertive not strong, I am going to add write it down then speak to who ever is responsible for your care.
Write down can you help me with this please thank you.
Staff these days do ring your home and offer sorry that is the truth. You have to say needs have to help yourself sorry but true.
All mental health teams do not run your life Be honest open and ask for anything you need and if they say no find some one else.
I do. not happy go else where I did. I got a lot of support, advice learnt to educate my self and have extensive knowledge use it on here.
All mental health teams have a code a duty of care if it not working do you use the links I supplied.
Here is something your missing . One charity Richmond Fellowship have a lot to offer but also have an employment programmes for clientele.
Even considering those who have a degree, could be useful to use and be supported in the charity.
Work for them, many former clientele do.
Understand it is your decision but your missing out on a lot of help, opportunities and anything else.
I have walked a mile in your shoes and more, I am a chatty gent as my lovely friends on here will say to you.
Yet on a sofa a quiet insecure shaking wreck. Meeting a feisty no nonsense opinionated direction female support worker telling me how it is. Woke up that day had to if I had to get better.
I have regrets of course wasted thirty years drinking hurting harming myself.
Now clean sorted found my faith and cope best I can.
Mental health disability illness is a struggle and I meet many people every day all hours days and night into early mornings.
You have to take small steps.
I admire you have one thing I never ever had loving caring parents.
My were abusers mental harming, used me as a feed bucket their own personal bank, Their own personal taxi service and much more.
Bullying, controlling and other abuse, too painful.
Now living on my own see no one every day speak to my lovely friends each day if I can on here.
Wish you well.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
I can't seem to find it right now (sorry) but I seem to remember that if you wear a pad because of 'leakage' then you wouldn't score points - needs to be more akin to Niagara Falls than a dripping tap...
As others have said you won't score points for using a dosette box because it's 'very helpful' rather than medically necessary..
If I can find the incontinence stuff I'll post it for you...
Four years is along time missing the opportunities and chances to sort yourself out.
Understand you may be some misunderstandings confusion but you have to give yourself some peace, solace.
Responsibility is one word I use for me, I am responsible for my mental health.
My wellbeing my issues fears insecurities of relapses. My illness but it is up to me good food, have good sleep exercise and think of ways of improvement.
Mental health is not all about drugs medicines and consulting the Doctor.
Mental health is a state of mind that effects every day feeling and emotions, triggers and responses.
To trauma and incidents to find solutions and some answers.
I have done a lot of research, information gleaned and scrutinised.
Have a library of books to look at, all can add worth consulting these.
Mindfulness, self hypnosis, CBT, garden therapy . All proved to help mental health and physical and also emotive feelings.
All mental health charities have conferences where new ideas initiatives, new addictions and problems discussed in a open forum.
Question answer sessions enlightening, stimulating and looking now at the alternatives.
Mental health is a Western Condition not prevalent in the Far East. Something myself doing some research on, as they use herbs, spices therapies to help themselves.
I use one Tia Chi slow movements every morning works wonders.
Lots of this discussed in support meetings meet others like you.
My concern is you and do care as I think they might get worse your mental health if not being treated correctly.
Just a thought.
I do understand you and maybe you do not understand yourself. Has been known, sometimes we are clouded, foggy not thinking straight does and can happen.
I had this myself by the way so used the education, knowledge to cope.
I wish you well and please think about any of the links supplied new life new opportunities to be helped and cope with
Is that not important getting help this situation the right people in your corner..
To help you guide you and speak for you.
Please take care.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
A dosette, which often come in shapes which make them easy to drop and break and often require a firm grip to open a specific lid is not, in my experience, used “just because it’s easier” but is used because it’s easier precisely because of an inoaured function.
Obviously you've been recommended Samaritans and understandably wouldn't be able to access them via telephone, but can I ask if you've tried Shout? They're a crisis text service that you can access by texting SHOUT to 85258. While we're more than happy for you to post here, we're not a crisis service, so wouldn't be able to provide you with the care nor expertise you perhaps need. That said, while as a pan disability charity it's fair to say our strengths lie more in the daily lives of disabled people, we would be willing to seek out some local support for you. If that's something you might like to pursue, please get in touch with us on [email protected]
In the meantime, if you feel like you might be in immediate danger, please make sure to contact the emergency services, or go to your local hospital.
Scope
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Currently my parents are keeping a close eye on me. I am better than I was Friday but I still hurt, and haven't really slept since Wednesday, so I may need to get an urgent appointment with my GP.
My cat has also been a great therapist, always there for me, and brings me his favourite toy when I am feeling really bad!
I have family members who use a box "because they find it easier" - they're not impaired and also myself - I initially started to use it just so that I can sort my tablets out for the week as i find it 'more convenient'
I think that you are confusing why people actually use them i.e. who needs to use one and who doesn't...
Without the box, I risk either not taking my tablet, or taking another. Eitherway, 1 tablet or 10, it doesn't matter because if I don't take it, I won't be having a very good day...
New meds have to first time along time morning make a note in the diary, knew every morning need to look . Or put a note on the wall sticky one need to read diary.
Once you get in to a routine example make a breakfast then have meds as food helps .
To process meds, often easier to digest,.
Photocopy evidence and show it .
A suggestion.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
When your an alcoholic memory lapse evident, lights on leaving switches on and sometime memory senior ones.
Also make a checklist of anything you need to do night time or evening or morning to do with your routine taking meds.
Use the diary page a day.
Hope that helps .
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
We all of us get distracted but meds if you don't use them or forget the body can be effected.
Headaches, nausea and other signs dizzy become evident.
I am up and about now diary look every day a routine, with out it my day falls apart.
Glimmer of hope the one aid I use, I forget to add used this and have done . Put on forms even my support worker asked me, will do that.
Photocopied evidence a weeks worth, included on the pages.
Sell by dates, produce add other things I forget and things like that are in my opinion may be relevant.
After all I do know need to use that item up.
Also add in dates, appointments, house work duties, ironing other wise be no clothes end up in my lounge pants all day.
Washing up and other tasks freezer, fridge preparation when delivery arrives from TESCO.
All frozen produce is put in to zip or clip bags portioned ready for use, saves a lot of space.
All freezer produce comes in bags once undone spillages, not a lot of room.
Do this with frozen meat tin foil wrapped even frozen, still do it portion it.
Label.. Everything, bread and bread products.
I have to do this because first saves me money, second wastage we buy these products and why waste money if not eating.
Also add in diary freezer meals for my self, Meatballs, Chicken Broth, Ragu Sauce and much more in to tin foil containers.
I have no family or friends only on here.
Live alone see no one most weeks , only time taxi drivers and the TESCO delivery ladies, gents who are good to me.
Hope that inspired and helps you, please anything else to do with routines, schemes, plans and time savers.
I am always here, one other try to be thinking positivity. I do get distracted restless only because I need to fill my days with a routine, things to heal me.
Understand every one is different but life is that what you wish to make of it.
One important achievement you have done is reaching out, be here.
All of us have walked a mile in your shoes. Happy to be supportive, although we have the knowledge, expertise.
It is up to you to act upon it and be responsive. No one like telling a valued member what to do ,but I have to be listening if others whom.
I am following looking up to know more than me.
Have respect much love, care and concern for the members of our forum who have given the inspirations the wisdom and much more.
The guidance the important reassurance. Write it down and use it to use as references.
Please take care.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes