Hi, my name is Retrovertigo!

Hi folks. Came here to ask advice about back payment on ESA, after the whole mess up with the DWP. Managed to get my answer which really helped put my mind at ease. I suffer from anxiety attacks quite often, sometimes over the smallest, silliest things :'( 

 I didn't start life being disabled. I was an active person, who liked to be a bit of a daredevil! I was young and basically thought I was invincible. But that ended up being my undoing when I had a motorcycle accident.

 I had to have my left arm reattached at the elbow, which means although it may seem to be a "normal" arm, it isn't anymore. I also broke my neck and my back, but thankfully the vertebrae didn't move and cause any paralysis. But they now cause me a lot of pain and I'm on pretty strong pain meds. 

 I also damaged my legs pretty badly and so walking is always painful now. The trouble I face the most, is that dressed, in long trousers and a long sleeved shirt, is that I look "normal" and so to outsiders I look perfect fit and healthy. Which can be a real setback when trying to get help with benefits etc.

 But that's enough for now, it's turning into an essay I've been this way now for over 20 years. In fact I'm coming up to being "this way" for longer than I was "normal" which is quite a strange feeling to be honest.

 I live alone, but thankfully my cousin lives in the flat next door, so I have readily available help whenever I need it. Which is a huge weight off my mind, as I'm a quiet, shy person, and having somebody come in doing things for me, isn't something I'd fancy if I'm honest.

Hi Ami2301 - yeah I am lucky that my aunt and uncle are fairly wealthy so helped me out a lot. For years I had no idea about DLA or anything like that, so was living alone in my flat on the basic amount of money. They bailed me out so many times! 

 With some of the backpay I have recieved, I intend to treat them, and pay them back some of the money as well