It is a relief it is all over with at last , keep pressuring them Candy , if you get no joy from Capita get in touch with your mp amazing how quick they send a appointment when you show them how loud your prepared to shout ..yes it was a good article ,and i got a apology from Capita how jolly nice of him considering my 29 week wait .
Thank you Candy , good luck with yours i hope you also get a good result
xxx
I could not have done it without the help of my mp ,freya at PUK and Ros the journalist so a big thank you to everyone for there help .X
Hi Shelley
Many congratulations on winning your fight! The hard slog is over so hopefully you can take a well earned rest and hopefully get a few good nights sleep as well. Shame we have to fight for our rights at all!
Regards Sheila x
Thank you Sheila
It has been a very stressful 29 weeks i must admit but thankfully it is over now well at least for a few years till renewal
Many thanks for your best wishes xx
Hi Shelly
Very well done I am very pleased to read of your success.It was along slog for you but as you say if your prepared to make a stand they have to listen.
I have contacted my MP recently a labour MP I should add and this is the reply I received
Dear Paul Thank you for contacting me I have received a reply from DWP summarising your PIP application dates etc and when it was sent to ATOS I have now written to Atos with an urgent request for information and I will come back to you as soon as I hear from ATOS
Looks like the only way to get by in this life is to stand up for yourself.The way I was brought up to be polite respectful and learn to listen and bide your time gets you nowhere in this life
Good luck all.................Paul
Hi Paul
My MP is also a labour MP
So glad to hear that you contacted your MP and that he is working for you , i think a lot of people will be rejoicing in the fact that Atos are indeed on there way out
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26766345
I totally agree Paul that you have to stand up for yourself i was also bought up that way but the lessons we learn in life teach us that if we do not stand up for ourselves we will get walked all over , keep kicking up a fuss Paul and let them know you are not going away and you are prepared to shout as loud as you have to
Good luck Paul i hope you get your appointment soon
Hi Shelly,
I phoned Capita to see how long I would have to wait for an assessment appointment, They gave me one there and then on 15th April, I don`t understand why they could just give me one on the phone yet if I hadn`t phoned I would still be waiting, They must have free appts if they could just give me one like that.
I am glad to have my appt but to me its a bit odd, What about all those other poor people who haven`t phoned, They could be waiting forever to me that is not a good system.
Well have to see how it goes, Maybe I will get something maybe I won`t have to play the waiting game now.
Take care candyxxxx
Well done Candy you appear to have to ask or we all remain at the bottom of a large pile.
I was astounded to read the bbc thread that Shelly posted to read that atos was paid 112.4 million to
assess 738000 people believe it or not thats over £1500 a person nice work if you can get it.
No wonder they want to cut benefits there blowing the whole budget on ATOS
The other thing is have I read the thread properley Shelly it apperars they have walked away from doing work based assessments for ESA but will continue to assess for PIP
Have I read that right..........Paul.
Well done Candy once you have your assessment you are probably some where in the region of about 4 weeks for a decision so the end is getting nearer for you , yes i agree so it seems if you are prepared to sit and wait they are quite prepared to let you wait for them to decide on a appointment absolutely terrible how they treat people , but at least you have a appointmet , do as much research as you can on the health assessment and what the assessor is looking for you need to give the assessor has clear a picture as you can about how your condition affects you the better picture you give them the better picture they give to the decision maker
They do make informal observations , my report stated that the assessor had observed a severe tremor and when i was passed a drink i spilt it over myself ..
The assessment appoint was for 11am but the assessor turned up very early and caught me still in my dressing gown which he duly noted in his report
Thanks for your kind words and yes it seems that if you dont ask you dont get which is terrible.
thanks candyxxx
Hi Shelly,
Thanks for your advice, I have to say I am quite nervous about having an assessment, In a way I sort of feel lke I dont deserve to get anything, My symptoms are probably not as bad as yours. Do they look at what equipment you have around the house?
I suppose they observe you the whole time they are there which I find intimidating, Did he ask how you cope mentally with the condition as well as the physical?
If I have my ankle and wrist splint by then would it be in my interest to wear them, that sounds bad dosent it like I am putting on a show for his benefit.
Sorry to go on a bit but I am really nervous, What will be will be.
Thanks candy xxxxxxx
hi candy. i would wear it thats what its there for,also get your self a stick,put some grab rails up in bathroom,think of the reason why your having a home visit !
Hi Candy
yes definately wear your splints i have a resting splint and a walking splint and i was wearing my splint when he came , they dont look at the equipment you have but they will ask if you use any but one thing to remember is you will score points if you need to use aids like sticks , shower seats , perching stools even if you do not use them , eg if you have trouble with zips , or fastening your bra and the use of a aid would help you you would score the points for that even if you did not use one if that makes any sense at all ?
You can always private message me and i will give you as much info has i can to help
Yes they do ask about physically and mentally and they will ask you to describe a typical day and they will ask about what leisure interests you have etc
I agree with Gus if the equipment will help you now is the time to ask the OT for it
I did not mean to be forward with you candy,but your ill do not start doubting yourself.It will be alright & tell them your worse days,Don't say ahh some days i feel ill !
BY THE WAY SHELLY I HAVE A BATH WITH A SHOWER IN IT ,I HAVE A GRAB RAIL FITTED IS THAT PERCHING STOOL FOR USE IN BATH !
its alright shelly looked them up on net thanks
ok Gus , i have a bath with a shower in it as well , i dont have grab rails but the OT gave me a swivel bath seat , Ot gave me a tipper for the kettle so don't have to risk spilling hot water over me
Candy
don't worry about your assessment you can do it xx
Hi shelly, just ordered a savanah slatted bath seat 11.45 ,some reason never liked hot drinks,
Thanks so much Shelly and Gus,
I just find the whole thing daunting thats all, I dont find things like this easy, I know the whole time he is doing his report I will be thinking, He dosent believe me or he thinks I am faking it.
I already have a perching stool and I am due to have grab rails fitted in the bathroom any day now, I also have a bath board to sit and have a shower. I do have arm crutches but I have only used them once or twice.
I know I should stop worrying but its the whole being scrutinised thing that gets to me.
Thanks so much for your advice both of you it is much appreciated
I will let you know how it goes
Thanks again candyxxx