Caught in the 'disabled and professional' trap - please help me get back to work!

mardatha

Nevermind about what other people think. Your health comes first, and your life. Other people think what they want to -- we are each responsible for our selves, so look after yourselves both of you in this thread.
ME is a real nightmare if you go back too soon, that's what I did and I ended up a zombie for a horrible miserable year. Just sleeping all the time, and at work I dragged myself around in pain and I wouldn't ever ever do that again. That ruined my health for good and now I wont work again.

anniestar

(((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))) I have PM'ed you(although I pressed the send button by accident so there is a bit missing off the end:o )
ME/CFE is a total [EMAIL="b@ztard"]b@ztard[/EMAIL] and you and anyone with this dreadful condition have all my love, support and best wishes. Take care. Ann xxxx

bails

Aah, thanks everyone, made me blub!
Zzigi, I knew about the first two points but wasn't aware of the third, thanks very much for the heads up. My intention was to create a role for myself that wouldn't otherwise exist, as in there is no funding for it, so would that be okay do you think?
Thanks Beanie for your support as ever x
Do you work anywhere near me Slummymummy?
Wales4ever, Working Links is something I was told about by the Job Centre. It's a government initative to help incapacitated people back into work. They offer advice (in my case nothing I didn't already know) but one bonus is that they have a pot of money to help people retrain/improve their skills. Def worth a chat with them, they may offer other things but I'm not aware of what (I've got another meeting in a week or so, will update here if I learn any more).
I completely understand how you feel about the benefits 'label' and yet agree with Mardatha wholeheartedly - I cannot be responsible for their ignorance, only my own health and wellbeing.
I made the same mistake as you Mardatha, my first symptoms were 10 years ago (although I didn't realise it at the time) and I had some time off in 2003 but insisted on going back - have paid for that severely now:rolleyes: I'm so sorry you can't now work again.
Thanks so much Anniestar!

Once again, thanks for all your support and advice, it means the world xxx

zzzLazyDaisy

qwertyuiop12345 wrote: »

You may already know that employment support allowance will come in at the end of october to replace IB for new claimants. People currently on IB will be able to request to join the new schemes when they start. !

Can I hijack this thread to ask a quick question (apologies to OP)

I am on IB and HRC/HRM DLA. I won't work again following a car accident. The new rates for ESA for people who genuinely can't work are higher than IB, but I have been tols that there are no plans to move people like me onto ESA until about 2012 and I cannot ask to be moved onto it (well I can, but only if I want help getting back to work, the amount I get won't alter). Is this true, as it seems so unfair to have a two tier system of payments.

Apologies again to OP, and I wish you well, you deserve all the luck in the world.... just don't run before you can walk, hun x

healy

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Can I hijack this thread to ask a quick question (apologies to OP)

I am on IB and HRC/HRM DLA. I won't work again following a car accident. The new rates for ESA for people who genuinely can't work are higher than IB, but I have been tols that there are no plans to move people like me onto ESA until about 2012 and I cannot ask to be moved onto it (well I can, but only if I want help getting back to work, the amount I get won't alter). Is this true, as it seems so unfair to have a two tier system of payments.

Apologies again to OP, and I wish you well, you deserve all the luck in the world.... just don't run before you can walk, hun x

They plan to move existing claimants across between 2010 and 2013 and the under 25s from next year. I dont think this is set in stone by any means.

foxxymynx

Try getting in touch with Employment Oppertunities people - call your local one

https://www.oppertunities.org.uk

They are employed by the government to help people like you get back to work

Woodyrocks

foxxymynx wrote: »

Try getting in touch with Employment Oppertunities people - call your local one

www.oppertunities.org.uk

They are employed by the government to help people like you get back to work

bails, Foxxy's link should have read http://www.opportunities.org.uk

Prudent

I had ME in the past and had to return to teaching very gradually. Years down the line, I still am very suseptible to all the viruses that go around the children. So you are wise to be cautious.

Just a thought - but I don't want it to be a discouragement in any way- is that it can be very hard to get permanent or even regular part time supply now. Going down the supply route to make up your 16 hours could be exhausting as you would find it hard to pace yourself in a regular routine.

Horace

bails wrote: »

Thanks Glaswejen and Oldernotwiser for getting back to me so quickly.

I have been getting DLA, although I am worried I may lose this in November, which is 37% of my income (I am reapplying at the mo).
I don't have any paid work at the moment but if there is no other option then I plan to work the 3 hours and use the voluntary to build up as you suggest. This route will just be frustrating from a job satisfaction/self esteem/independence point of view; I want to pay my way and contribute meaningfully to society. I was offered a (very) part time job recently but was unable to take it up because of the financial consequences.

Thankyou so much for your support, I am very grateful. Good luck with med school Glaswejen.

Hi Bails

DLA isnt means tested so I can see no reason why this would stop. I have every sympathy with you because I know someone with ME and I am disabled myself. My friend who has ME was unemployed for a long time and I know that he sees an occupational therapist who helps him improve his stamina - he now has his own business so chooses his own working hours but I know he still has days when he is totally incapacitated.

The jobcentres really don't know how to handle someone who is both disabled and professional, they are only used to dealing with those who are not encumbered by anything (other than the number of sprogs they can produce). If I were you I would speak to your Disability Employment Advisor at the jobcentre because he/she should be able to be of more help to you. They also work with a charitable trust called The Shaw Trust who should be able to help you back into work.

I am fed up of being on the dole - I have been unemployed now since the beginning of August 07. I am now on a programme with the jobcentre called New Deal for Disabled People, with a view to self-employment. This is a fab scheme because you get the support of a chamber of commerce and you can have supported test trading for 6 months where you still get JSA plus an extra £15 a week towards your petrol costs. You have to ask the jobcentre about this scheme because they are not very forthcoming about it.

Good luck and badger the jobcentre and your DEA.

Horace x

beanielou

Horance~ I dont think bails was worried about her DLA on a means tested basis, more that her DLa is due to be renewed & she has to go through the whole application proccess again.In a lot of cases DLA is only awarded for a certain period of time.