ESA, your having a laugh!

[furnitman2003]

This site has proved invaluable to me in the past, regarding debt issues, bank charges etc.

 

It looks like I may well need some advice / support in the coming months as I am now at the mercy of the benefit system, god help me.

 

I recently had to give up my Job, and, as my home went with the Job I had to give that up too, and all because I was involved in a serious road traffic accident, My wife and I were hit head-on by an idiot trying to overtake a line of cars, and we had to be cut out of the wreck.

I had head and leg injuries and smashed up my right arm, it was operated on, had plates inserted, but is still not mending, my wife had whiplash cuts and bruises, but we were very lucky.

I was on ESA for a month or so then sent for a Medical Assessment, what a farce that was, and suprise,suprise, I failed and was deemed fit for work, scoring '0'. I have appealed against this decision, as there is no way I can work as I have had another operation on my arm a few days ago and its in plaster, and will be for a few weeks to come.

 

I am also diagnosed by my doctor with Anxiety/Depression as a result of the trauma of the car accident, and all this hassle is not helping that.

 

As well as the Appeal, I also made a formal complaint regarding the Medical Assessment, probably waisting my time doing that, but it makes me feel better, ha,ha.

 

I realise its early days as regards the appeal, but I want to be prepared, and its helps talking to people in a similar situation, and from what I've read so far, I am not alone.

 

Alan

[loan_ranger]

Mikebach's website is well worth a read and a good preparation for what to expect.

DWP ESA Medical Examinations

[furnitman2003]

Thanks for that, I'll check it out.

Alan

[honeybee13]

Hi there. If only they were having a laugh......

 

I also had anxiety and depression and won when I went to tribunal, but it was hard work and it doesn't help one's mental condition.

 

HB x

[furnitman2003]

Hi all, I've been reading the threads/posts regarding Atos and the Medical Assessment 'Farce'.

Shortly after attending my assessment, accompanied by my wife, I was so wound up I wrote a letter, originally intended for my doctor, but after finding I had failed the Medical, I decided to include it in my Complaint which I handed in along with my Appeal.

It probably won't do any good, but it made me feel better.

 

In the letter I mention being kept waiting for over an hour, I have since found out, or I suspect, this was intentional, as part of a 'covert observation' part of the assessment.

 

Below are the links to my letter of complaint.

Alan

 

http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz37/furnitman2003_bucket/MedComP1.jpg

http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz37/furnitman2003_bucket/MedComP2.jpg

Edited May 10, 2010 by furnitman2003

[honeybee13]

That's an excellent letter, I hope it gets some kind of result for you. HB

[furnitman2003]

Thanks HB, I hope so too, not going to hold my breath though, it did make me feel I was doing something.

Thats what I find hardest, I feel frustrated and powerless to do anything about it.

Alan

[honeybee13]

That's the toughest thing, feeling powerless and unimportant, I know. Fingers crossed for you. HB x

[rightsforme]

Hi all, I've been reading the threads/posts regarding Atos and the Medical Assessment 'Farce'.

Shortly after attending my assessment, accompanied by my wife, I was so wound up I wrote a letter, originally intended for my doctor, but after finding I had failed the Medical, I decided to include it in my Complaint which I handed in along with my Appeal.

It probably won't do any good, but it made me feel better.

 

In the letter I mention being kept waiting for over an hour, I have since found out, or I suspect, this was intentional, as part of a 'covert observation' part of the assessment.

 

Below are the links to my letter of complaint.

Alan

 

http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz37/furnitman2003_bucket/MedComP1.jpg

http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz37/furnitman2003_bucket/MedComP2.jpg

Hi furnitman

Thats a brilliant letter you wrote and also very much the same experience I had at the farce ATOS medical. My accident was over 10 years ago and and I was diagnosed with severe PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and suffer severe back pain ever since. I was lucky enough at the time to see a top specialist and had managed to control the PTSD till problems at work which led to me having to leave brought on a major recurrence. I still tried to continue to manage this myself and went onto JSA but unfortunately it became so bad that I became suicidal and had to be signed off and go onto ESA. But then came the farce ATOS medical and refusal and 9 months of hell waiting for tribunal and finally getting to see there lies. I won the tribunal based on my proper specialist medical evidence and did not even have to attend. Got another letter to go back to ATOS 2 weeks later, went and would not see me as it was same person who saw me he refused as the case had been against him, re booked for following weeks went and received interrogation. I lost in end and accused her of trying to kill me off, then to top it all got yet another letter to go back again , seems report was done manually and even though i had just been paid for attendance on both dates it had not been put on system. My friend had to deal with it and also asked for complaint form. I couldn't even talk. I am finding it very hard to get my PTSD under control with all this harassment. Had they not done all that I may well have been back at work by now instead it has been made worse. I am up and down like a yo yo I dread the thought of ever having to go back there and just pray that I can get both the PTSD and back sorted before I have to. Good luck with your tribunal and you might also want to look at applying for DLA as welfare rights also got me that which I had not realized I would be entitled too.

[honeybee13]

rightsforme, that's a dreadful story. I know how it makes you feel and it's crazy that the people who are meant to help seem to be deliberately making you worse. Have you involved your MP and have you, furnitman?

 

The CAB report said that many people are concerned that there could be extra costs to particularly the NHS psychiatric services, if I remember right, by people having their recoveries impeded or set back severely by this sort of treatment. Is there are charity that represents people with PTSD? Some of the charities contributed to the CAB report and they weren't happy either.

 

Big hugs to both of you. HB x

[furnitman2003]

Thanks HB, no I've not involved my MP yet, will do though.

I've been tempted to kick up a fuss at the Jobcentre plus, and get the matter in the media, but prefer to explore all legal avenues, first.

Alan x

[honeybee13]

Well, you're not alone in feeling that way. I think something is building through this forum.

 

HB x

[pompeyfaith]

Well soon as the new government is formed and we know who the disability minister is we can start battering and kicking up a stink.

 

PF

[honeybee13]

Bring it on, PF. Can I sit next to you on the coach please?

 

HB x

[pompeyfaith]

Indeed you can lol

 

Now there was a posting on this site this morning from Reef TV they were looking for people with consumer issues that they could take on and sort out for a new BBC programme.

 

Ive been searching for it for the past 0.5 hour and cant find it.

 

PF

[furnitman2003]

HB, It would make a great day out, lol.

 

Well done, PF, Keep looking, I'm up for it.

[honeybee13]

Hi guys, I'm not necessarily joking. I can't claim it's my idea, there are lots of threads and a campaign thread here along similar lines. I hope I haven't hijacked your thread, furnitman.

 

HB x

[rightsforme]

rightsforme, that's a dreadful story. I know how it makes you feel and it's crazy that the people who are meant to help seem to be deliberately making you worse. Have you involved your MP and have you, furnitman?

 

The CAB report said that many people are concerned that there could be extra costs to particularly the NHS psychiatric services, if I remember right, by people having their recoveries impeded or set back severely by this sort of treatment. Is there are charity that represents people with PTSD? Some of the charities contributed to the CAB report and they weren't happy either.

 

Big hugs to both of you. HB x

Hi honeybee

My friend is going to put in the complaint and welfare rights were great they won my tribunal for me and also put in for DLA which I was awarded with no problems for a year. Charities that represent people with PTSD are few and far between, and I only know of one called friends which is in somerset as I have a friends down there so I hope to eventually get moved there so support would be on hand when needed with rather than have to be reassessed then wait for a sessions of appointments. I hoping that I will be able to get back sorted and the PTSD under control before I have to go back to that farce ATOS. Still not had the report from them on the work focused medical nor appointment with adviser. I have however seen a work adviser via recommendation from my councilor and she was great. I have decided I would like to do training to go into advice and support work and just have to contact her once I am well enough. What we are being subject to is horrendous, barbaric, unjust and inhuman and most definitely discriminatory to those of us that have genuine illnesses and disabilities and i hope that in the future I will be able to help others suffering. Once things are all sorted with the government I do intend to write to them too.

[RaeUK]

Well soon as the new government is formed and we know who the disability minister is we can start battering and kicking up a stink.

 

PF

 

Quite right PF. I'm sitting back waiting to see how the land lies.

We're all in the poo together and - I think it was HB who said it - there is a good undercurrent swelling about this forum.

We are all beginning to recognise that it's not just us. Not just me. Not just you. But tens of thousands of disabled and long term sick who are suddenly finding themselves cast adrift from a society that cares.

The blame firmly lies with the Government and the DWP.

I just wrote something on another thread which I think sums things up:

 

'There seems to be an endemic, systematic and institutionalised discrimination throughout the DWP against GPs and other healthcare professionals. It is almost as if the entire creaking organisation has succumbed to a God complex. It needs changing imho.'

 

I do think that we are slowly boiling up with our frustration at a system that doesn't listen. I hope that feeling permeates our community. Because that is the last stage of fermentation.

We have had organisations - charities etc - voice concerns for us collectively and they were largely ignored. The media has slowly started taking an interest.

The next step is that those directly affected - us - start to take individual and collective action. To protest and rebel.

It is a process that takes time. We do not have either the resources or the ability that other social sectors may have. But that is what makes this growing angry mood more fearsome.

The effort we have to make is greater than the fully fit. To mobilise the mobility impaired shows a depth of anger not yet witnessed in this country.

I would be very interested to see our general mood in, say, eight to ten weeks time...

 

Up the revolution!

 

Best wishes

Rae

Edited May 12, 2010 by RaeUK

[honeybee13]

Hi Rae and furnitman. I think I did mention something, but not as elegantly as a swelling undercurrent. You should have been an author.

 

Up the revolution, as you say.

 

Furnitman, I haven't forgotten this is your thread, although I hope you'll be on the coach. Welfare Rights are terrific from what I've read here, for those who have access to them. And I think your ambitions are admirable. Odd that a 'sponger' can consider putting something back and helping people. They'll never believe it .

 

A lot of forces people are affected by PTSD, aren't they. I thought there was a charity that helped and campaigned for them and possibly other sufferers, but I can't recall the name at the moment. Have you looked at that at all?

 

My best, both. HB x

[Brown-Clegg-Cameron2010]

Hi guys, I'm not necessarily joking. I can't claim it's my idea, there are lots of threads and a campaign thread here along similar lines. I hope I haven't hijacked your thread, furnitman.

 

HB x

 

It's Libro's idea.... Herer's the link.

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/campaign/251610-calling-all-disabled-people.html

 

The best thing is post stuff here that we can use to fight back with.

[furnitman2003]

I've been out today, chasing my benefit, etc.

Just come on line, Fantastic!!!..

Things really are moving apace now.

HB, I'm not joking either, its time act, and no you've not hijacked my thread, glad to be of help.

 

Brown-Clegg-Cameron2010, Thanks for the link, I wish I'd found it earlier.

 

If anything I've posted is of use in the campaign, feel free to use it.

Alan.

[honeybee13]

Up the revolution, as kelcou said. HB x

[furnitman2003]

CAB rang me yesterday with an appointment to see an adviser,

( I had contacted them as soon as I found I'd failed the DWP / Atos medical ).

A bit of a knee jerk reaction, as, I'm not quite sure what CAB. can do.

I'll attend and get their opinion, nothing ventured, nothing gained:)

 

I've set up a 'facebook' page, just got to work out how to use it, ha, ha.

Alan

[RaeUK]

Do come and join us, furnitman, on facebook:

 

Log in | Facebook

 

The more the merrier ...

Best wishes

Rae