Epilepsy

sgreen1994 · July 2020

Hi I'm 25 years old and I'm epileptic, I have been having a very hard time trying to find a supportive employer since leaving school.

I have only been able to work for 2 rather small companies over 6 month tenures due to my condition being "to much hastle" and being paid off I now need advise to find a suitable employer in Birmingham City Centre or Solihull that can support my non visual disablilty.

Any help and advice is much appreciated!

serenity2 · July 2020

hi @sgreen1994
hope someone comes along soon who may be able to Help or advise...
I wanted to say welcome to you and look forward to you being around !

sgreen1994 · July 2020

HI @serenity2 thanks for the welcome message! this seems like a very supporting community

serenity2 · July 2020

@sgreen1994
ive not been here that long myself..and yes I’ve found it very supportive ..
live joined in some of the football posts, trying to predict scores (not done that well

) but it’s been helpful being here. Makes me feel less alone , so that has to be good
give me a shout if ya need anything I may be able to help with on here

chiarieds · July 2020

H @sgreen1994 - Welcome, & thank you for joining this friendly & supportive community. I'm not sure about finding work in the area you mention, but there's some info on Scope that 'may' be helpful. Please see: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/work-careers/looking-for-work/ & they also have the following programme: https://www.scope.org.uk/employment-services/support-to-work/

Yes, & please do have a look around & join in with any discussions.

steve51 · July 2020

Hi @sgreen1994

Good Evening & Welcome it’s great to meet you today.

I am one of the Community Champion’s here at Scope.

Yes I am from the same area & I have used Access to Work a number of times over the past few years for me to successfully return to paid employment.

Heres the link for them below.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-work-factsheet/access-to-work-factsheet-for-customers

@steve51

woodbine · July 2020

Hi @sgreen1994 welcome to scope i'm also a person with epilepsy, couple of things come to mind, are you claiming all the benefits you might be entitled to? are your seizures controlled by medication? You could have a word with epilepsy actions help line https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/about/contact-us if we can be of anymore help please ask.

sgreen1994 · July 2020

Hi @chiarieds thanks for the fast response! I have applied for the programmes so i'll wait to hear back now

sgreen1994 · July 2020

@steve51 Thanks Steve I hsve just had a browse through the factsheet, I'm currenty receiving Universal Credit but do you know if that would be stopped when i apply for the "acces to work"

steve51 · July 2020

Hi @sgreen1994

No probs, I don’t think so but I can check for you if that is okay???

@steve51

steve51 · July 2020

Hi @sgreen1994

I have just checked the info that I sent to you earlier today & it does say that you are okay when you are on U/C.

@steve51

sgreen1994 · July 2020

Hi @woodbine I suffer from Photosensitive epilepsy so i mainly have a Grand Mal seizures but after i was treated in my neurologists practice for 5 days wired up to a computer analysing my electrolytes they realised i have nocturnal seizures too! I applied for PIP about two years ago but didn't come close to the points needed but i am cureently receiving universal credit. Did you find it dificult finding employers? I think I was used by my previous employer for a grant.

sgreen1994 · July 2020

Hi @steve51 thanks for checking that out for me it is good to keep on top of guidelines and policies nowadays espically during this pandemic

steve51 · July 2020

Hi @sgreen1994

Have you mentioned that you applied for pip but we’re turned down????

@steve51

steve51 · July 2020

Hi @sgreen1994

No probs, yes it’s always best to keep up to date with things.

@steve51

sgreen1994 · July 2020

Hi @steve51 I'm going to call them tomorrow i think it'll be easier on the phone

steve51 · July 2020

Hi @sgreen1994

Yes that is a good idea please please let me know if there’s any problems????

@steve51

woodbine · July 2020

sgreen1994 said:

Hi @woodbine I suffer from Photosensitive epilepsy so i mainly have a Grand Mal seizures but after i was treated in my neurologists practice for 5 days wired up to a computer analysing my electrolytes they realised i have nocturnal seizures too! I applied for PIP about two years ago but didn't come close to the points needed but i am cureently receiving universal credit. Did you find it dificult finding employers? I think I was used by my previous employer for a grant.

TBH when my epilepsy started when I was 38 (23 years ago) it was bad and I had to stop working, its never been good enough for me to consider working as I have 3 grand mal a week and 4/5 absence seizures a day, you could try applying for PIP again especially if you have new evidence, perhaps get CAB or welfare rights to help you with the application? If you wanted advice about PIP there are a few of us on here who can help.

chiarieds · July 2020

Hi @sgreen1994 - I couldn't agree more with @woodbine , people with epilepsy can qualify for PIP, so worth a try again, & people here will help with any claim.

sgreen1994 · July 2020

@woodbine @chiarieds Thanks for the fast replies! I have to wait 6 months until I can appeal against the pip score. I've recently got in touch with my local MP to see if he can advise me on where to go from here because at one stage i wasn't eligable for anything from the job centre! the following month i received a letter about a rebate to be paid in full back to them it was swings and roundabouts

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