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Totally terrified, 2nd now due of assessments

se65an
se65an Community member Posts: 5 Listener
edited April 2019 in PIP, DLA, and AA
Having been through it, 2 tribunals for  PIP and 2 for ESA last time. I am freaking out.

Last one I broke down, it was so bad. 

Crush injury at work, now on top, due to stressed out last year past brain injury  back.   So am physically  and mentality cant work...

Endless doctors reports, specialist reports, private reports as accident at work,  all say the same, cant work again.

Yet here we go, pushed to breaking point, 4 times I attempted suicide as I can't  copy, constant pain,  now mental health issues.

So worried I called samaritan's at weekend. 

Any one know how we stop these total stressful assessments,  never mind appeals. 

Never asked to have an accident at work, worked all my life, need a bit of support, not worry for my life asking..

This Government  are just so cruel..

I am 51, had to retire, trying to come to terms with that, but this **** is endless. 

Feel like saying ram it, see if they can take house etc off me, just too much



Comments

  • Antonia_Alumni
    Antonia_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,780 Pioneering
    edited April 2019
    Hi @se65an welcome to the community. I am sorry to hear about this. The assessment and appeals can be stressful for a lot of our members, so please do not feel alone in this. I am glad you reached out to Samaritans, how did it go and how are you doing today? Are you getting any emotional support?

    We have some information on appealing and you can contact your local CAB if you need some support or advice.

    You are a member of our community and we appreciate you.
     
    If you are having thoughts of suicide, it is important that you discuss them with someone who is qualified to help. Please call the Samaritans on 116 123 (free) or email them at jo@samaritans.org
     
    You might also benefit from reading MIND’s information on how you can help yourself: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-healthproblems/suicidal-feelings/how-can-i-help-myself/
     
    If you feel that you may be an immediate danger to yourself, please call 999 or go to your local hospital right away. 

    We are all here to support you, so please do not hesitate to ask any questions.
    Best wishes.
     
  • wilko
    wilko Community member Posts: 2,458 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello and welcome, I think once we, our details are in the benefits system some claimants are processed and reprocessed again and again although the evidence states they will never work again, for what ever reason they their name keeps popping up for a review or assessment. I wonder if this could not be brought up with MPs and the DWP as possible discrimination against a disabled person when the medical and assessment facts clearly stated that the claimant will never work again.
  • se65an
    se65an Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    cheets. contacted  mp already await reply 
  • twonker
    twonker Posts: 617 Pioneering
    wilko said:
    Hello and welcome, I think once we, our details are in the benefits system some claimants are processed and reprocessed again and again although the evidence states they will never work again, for what ever reason they their name keeps popping up for a review or assessment. I wonder if this could not be brought up with MPs and the DWP as possible discrimination against a disabled person when the medical and assessment facts clearly stated that the claimant will never work again.
    People are being reassessed at regular intervals because it is part of the regulations. It is compulsory. Otherwise you might as well roll back to DLA and IB when it was most unlikely you would be reassessed after the initial award was made. Some DLA claimants were never even assessed never mind re-assessed in the whole 21 years they were receiving the benefit. Likewise with IB, You put your sick note in and automatically received your benefit continuously with no checks. 
  • madquasimodo
    madquasimodo Community member Posts: 140 Pioneering
    Good place to get some help is your doctor, if they do not help then change them for another practice, you need to get some mental health support, I will not say it's easy but you have to push for the help, if you can get a support worker by referral they can help you with paperwork and mental health reports.
    I know how you feel, tried it 3 times, I got counselling at first, then Mental health Nurse, then a Support Worker, last attempt I got counselling but it took 10 months, it didn't help much by then and to be told "I am a survivor too" wasn't helping much at all.
    Hang on in there, there is help but its not easy to get. 
  • se65an
    se65an Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    cheers all. 

    mental health issues are treated so slowly on NHS.  seen one councillor. you have cabin fever. read my notes please.


    contacted Headway. they are calling back asap  now over a week.



  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger

    Hello @se65an Thank you for your post. Pleased to meet you.

    Sorry to hear you have some issues and problems.

    I know you have been given some excellent advice from community members.

    I know myself having mental health issues and a physical disability. Got in the conveyor belt system of assessments ongoing for over twenty years plus.

    Last ten years ended up being assessed continuous for every eighteen months two years. One says am fit signed on and for six month know too ill and it went on. Then re assessed again not fit to work then again fit then unfit so it went on.

    Please can I suggest that you should try and speak to mental health charities.

    I used this one last time.

    https://www.richmondfellowship.org.uk.

    Reason I contacted them got help and intervention from floating support worker who did not know of my problems and issues with DWP. Until I discussed it with her.

    Sent letter to DWP telling of situation. Especially ESA . Now in the support group.

    Attended some of my assessments.  May I add as well does help. Often advising on forms fill them in for you.

    Also another reason often helpful and useful to help with mental wellbeing additional signposting to anything else.

    Including important information, guidance on wellbeing , health, benefits and other aspects of care.

    They do take clientele with disabilities. Because I was focusing more on my disability not realising. Mental health and disability connected.

    I do not use NHS services because of time restraints may I add. Many CPN and NHS services over burdened and underfunded.

    Many charities can offer a contract with you. It is a specific time.  Not like some NHS Services limited.

    Hope this helps you.

    Please can I add if you have not having any success with any thing like you have applied for.  This your health.

    Have many a time gone on line and found charities, organisations to help and guide my health.

    Add to that speak to your Doctor most surgeries have a wealth of knowledge and expertise and can guide you to consider other options and choices.

    Understand sometimes then  Doctor not listening then contacted Rethink a mental health advocate or used Mental health charity as support worker to speak on my behalf. Did happen so did that and it worked.

    Something to consider.

    If I can help be supportive please ask.

    I am one of the community champions on the forum.  Be happy to help and advise offer any thing. Ready to listen anytime.

    Pleasure to meet you.

    You are a valued member of our community.

    Please take care.

    @thespiceman

    Community Champion
    SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
    Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
    Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
    Recipes
  • se65an
    se65an Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    thanks Spiceman.

    all advise grateful for.

    local MP. who has  been campaigning changes to PIP and ESA. advised, he was fighting hard for people like myself. but it will not be resolved any time soon.

    as I live in Scotland. he did advise PIP was being handed over to Scot Gov. so there is hope there for changes.

    As I have so many reports confirming i cant work again. physical and mental.

    he raising my issue separately with Health Minister. not change anything. but highlights more the failings or DWP.

    thanks 
    .



  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger

    Hello @sen65an Thank you for the reply.

    Understand have heard this before. Local MP's getting involved the big issues are really. When do you say to some one like ourselves this has to stop .

    No point being assessed again if there are no changes or results or getting worse. Especially if you of a certain age, am 54.

    Do know much a debate issue and maybe some where there is a argument to do that . Because it is in my opinion not working for those in this particular situation.

    Just recall one time had to sign on, clearly not too good and the amount of signing on staff. Ten in six months passed to pillar to post. My mental health not good.

    Even a disability employment scheme provider who can take on gentleman like my self.  Called SHAW Trust decided not to take me on. Understood in their opinion and their own view . Would need one to one specialist training and therapy.

    Had many bad experiences from the eighties and ongoing from various employers.

    For bullying, harassment and much more.

    All I can add.

    Had also one other disturbing experience which is not being taken seriously. Is this constant treadmill to be put onto some Government backed training schemes.

    Usually after nine months signing on.  They do not care, do not want to know. Many of them I have met many times over usually the same people. Are members of our community who have learning disabilities and other associated difficulties.

    The Employment services do not know what to do with them so they are herded by the service on to this scheme.

    Just sitting in a room on a course. Have no idea how to deal with anything. Shocked, stunned some of them unable to communicate. Some of them have severe problems and some are really ill.

    In reality should not be there because of the inequalities and failures of the system they are just not capable of doing any work. The DWP know this and so do the training companies. Many have been failed by the assessment system passed fit by assessors in the cold light of day and had to stand up to speak up for these people.

    Also many were of a certain age with elderly parents had no idea to go forward who to speak to.  Used to meet some of the elderly parents of these gentleman in their late forties or early fifties.

    Had some time and gave my energy and some of my knowledge for some to look at appeals and related support.  Which I may add the training company should be doing but lack of motivation on their part.

    Advised CAB or welfare support. Some of the parents obviously very distressed to see their son in this situation.  The system is not helping. Too confusing. Scared some where lose that financial lifeline.

    Because even though they might have Pensions.  Not enough as I have heard before used sons benefits to add to for the support themselves as their son.

    What was not helpful was the demeanour of staff. Some whom were of a young age and could not understand why they unemployable, add to that their illness the conditions they have.

    No one was listening as well. Every time having an issue with Employment services not our issues the training company dealt with you. Then rubber ball bouncing back to Employment services and so called training company.

    Go on websites plenty of the so called schemes many have made loads of complaints.

    One final point please do not be disheartened the good thing is your part of our community as we continue to fight this .

    Keep in touch.

    Take care.

    @thespiceman


    Community Champion
    SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
    Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
    Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
    Recipes
  • se65an
    se65an Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    you have been through a hard time spiceman. 

    good to talk.

    my disability was a work accident. crush my foot ankle. NHS messed up from day 1. over a year to have operation all too late. sone foot bones just removed.

    as a crush injury. nerves all damaged.

    if you first saw me sitting in a cafe etc. you would never notice. part of my problem. I hid all from everyone.

    stuck in for 2 years. constant  pain. all this with DWP. mother's death. close pal. dying. I went over edge.

    as I has a brain injury in past. was advised that severe stress would cause problems. and nerve damage being neurology. that is me stuck with mental health issues for life. 

    cant do house money stuff.cant concentrate for long.  not a hope of anything complex


    crush injury. last told. that is it. you need to deal with it.  try to do anything other than basics am in agony and sleep for 24hrs.

    as I overdosed a few times. messed up liver and kidney.

    so never allowed pain killers.

    pain clinic. at the start insulted you. with it's all in mind. is it... well look at all these. fresh bruising for no reason other than a short walk.

    NHS and CPN. cant cope with mental health referrals.

    and these daft assessments and appeals do push you right over edge.

    reason am seeking help. am not go that far to the edge again. end up just another number.

    but see trying to get help. it is hard.

    took me a year to admitted it was attempted suicide. 

    when you call up NHS as they messed up treatment. tell them
     look get this sorted  asap. you can see my records am a danger. when in severe pain. the "we feel for you , but"

    the system is failing people in need.

    worked all my life. need support. nope..system is about to make you worse.

    and am age 51.  not a stupid man. but when mental health and pain takes over.   you don't think.


    cheers. that rant helped.

    think it's now a week since  contacted charity Headway. said I need urgent help. they would arrange. nothing.


    take care, it helps to talk




  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger

    Hello@sen65an  Please can I thank you for sharing. Understand this the problems you are experiencing.

    Please do not apologise for rant am here any time you want to listen be a friend, supportive.

    I think what is important is to take things in small steps.

    How you move forward slowly. Your the best friend, you know about you what makes you the person you are.

    I always shocked and stunned  by the lack of insensitivity and heart wrenching demeanour by certain staff who represent services that mean to care for us.

    You mentioned CPN.  I am in Doctors surgery. Because at that time had addiction history. Just ben released from rehab. Getting no where with Mental health.

    The mobile rang it was the NHS services mental health team. Denying me a lifeline . Some support. This person was then so not nice and harsh to me.

    Doctor grabbed the phone. Who is this he hollered.  This gentleman has been out of rehab a month needs a CPN , Mental health support now. Not tomorrow not next month but today.

    The rehab services had applied for me .

    So in the end got nowhere.  Had just eight weeks.  Not long at all.

    Been aware a long time. Of the situation with NHS.  Reason why used charities.

    Several reasons actually.

    First they when you apply.  You can self refer or ask Doctor to do this.

    They will assess you and decide if and what they can do for you. No messing about will tell you. Also ask you.  What do you need and want from our service.

    Usually a contract when you do sign up. Get informed by letter.  Have floating support visit you in your home.  Every two weeks, but a the same time will give you their contact details. Email and mobile.

    Some charities will insist on giving you a computer.  Notebook or similar.  If you do not have one to communicate with the charity.

    This last charity did. This is yours to keep.

    One other important factor in mental health charities is this. If they offer support, guidance, signposting or additional wellbeing . In the form of courses or monthly meetings.

    You have to say yes. If you do not they will let you go.

    Know this myself said no a few times.  Learnt that early on.  In previous support from charities.  Can be difficult sometimes. I know as a gentleman finding it hard to be told what to do. Have to think about acceptance.

    No one likes to told what to do but it is done with a lot of care and meaning.

    Reason is they have so many clientele usually people like yourself who have been involved with NHS .Getting no where.

    One other point many of these charities because of the in capabilities of NHS. Are over burden and have for example my own support. Had fifteen clients over a fortnight.

    Often emailing me late at night or early morning. Add to that some charities want you to get involved in the running of the branch.

    Could be designing a letter head to support meetings or getting involved with others like yourself.    Using your skills and talents, abilities to help others.

    Can be beneficial to your wellbeing and others self esteem and confidence. I have an addiction history which I found useful to share and care with others who are the same.

    Still worth it. Because you learn a lot about coping methods and strategies.  To help you. 

    Have received addition support for benefit situation as I stressed to you in my original post to you.

    Hope that helps you make a decision.

    Something to consider.

    I know at the moment doing OK. Doing things my way.

    Spending my time helping and assisting good members of our community.

    Happy to do so.

    Please if you wish to ask or know anything please get in touch.

    Pleasure to meet you.

    Take care.

    @thespiceman

    Community Champion
    SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
    Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
    Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
    Recipes

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