Taking control of my life

*Jellie*

Ames wrote: »

Got a letter from the DWP today. First line says my change in circumstances doesn't affect the amount of income support Ill get (it bloody well should!), second line says that from July 30th it'll be going up. I think that whoever worked out the wording for these standard letters went to the same admin school as DCA letter writers...

:rotfl:
Sounds like things are moving in the right direction.
Try not to worry about Monday- you are perfectly entitled to appeal against the decision and if she knows about the complaint she'll be trying extra hard to do the right thing in the knowledge that it will be scrutinised by others too now.

Ames

I know I shouldn't be worried, but I am. I was hoping they'd send someone else out, or wait till the outcome of the complaint, but I've not heard anything. I'll just have to keep telling myself that it's my right to make a complaint, and that it was in the best. If anyone was in the wrong it was her, although I blame the rules and system rather than her herself. Although her smug patronising little shrugs and smiles didn't help!

I went into town with my sister today and she wouldn't split up but insisted on us doing all our shopping together. I thought it was so that she could get me to buy something for her, but it turned out she's getting scared to go out on her own again. I've been worrying about her for a while, she's been saying how hard it is never leaving the flat and now it's really affecting her. But I don't know if it can be my fault - she could have walked to the park (a friend did suggest this), or walked to the library, or even come round here. She was trying to talk me into going to see a band with her tonight, but since I've had a bad few days and need to rest up for Leeds fest next weekend I just couldn't go. I'm really annoyed with myself that a little bit of me is being smug - I've had these problems and her solution was to force me to do things even if I was uncomfortable and it caused panic attacks. I just don't know what to do, I can't help her the way she wants me to because it'll make me ill.

I've just placed an online order at Asda, the first time I've done it. It's got most of the stuff for Leeds festival in it though, so that's out of the way. The delivery man will hate me though, I got a months worth of heavy stuff - tins, bottles, and 9 cartons of juice. Since the freezer's overflowing with meat and a bit of veg, I shouldn't need much next month. Mind you, I said that this month! I'm just a bit concerned that it said prices could go up or down between now and delivery (monday), and I got a few bits that were on a very good offer. Don't know if I can send them back and refuse to pay the extra?

Now I'm settling down with a big bottle of cider, tea (steak and wedges) and a good film - The Omen, which I'm ashamed to say I've never seen before.

Ames

Phoned dad today and told him about my assessment. He couldn't believe that showering leaves me knackered for two days, because it's 'just standing under water' (sitting, actually). He said I'll just have to do it all myself and hope I win the appeal. He did agree it's not possible to just miss appointments though. So all in all a better response than I expected.

He asked if I'm on my own now and when I said yes he said 'good'. I don't think he meant it to come across the way it did!

My sister had a great time when she went out last night - so I don't feel as guilty about not going with her. Someone asked her how I was because he'd seen my facebook status (about twuntish social worker). Sister didn't know what my status had been so told him that I'm having a manic depression episode but I'm dealing with it. Not something I really wanted casual acquaintences to know, but I suppose we're not close enough friends for it to matter.

There's a small chance ex might be able to be here in the morning for the social worker visit, which makes me feel a bit better.

Last night I couldn't sleep so I worked out my budget for the next few months, when I get my next payment (the start of the next month) I'm going to open an ISA and start saving for things. I've got two current accounts, a credit union account, an old account from when I was a kid, so between them all I can have different pots for different things. I just hope I can stick to the budget, but it's generous enough that I should be able to.

ChocChip26

Hey Ames!

Just nipping in to see how you are getting on? Am sorry to hear about your troubles with the social workers assessment, am in total disbelief about what they feel is 'acceptable'!! Madness!!

Glad to hear about the appeal though! Try not to worry about tomorrow - as Jellie says, the social worker might very well take a different stance now they realise their superiors are looking into the matter. Hope it goes well Let us know how you get on.

ChocChip xxx

p.s. Re the shower thing - I take it you already use a stool or wee chair for in the shower? As this still leaves you tired could you not get a pack of baby wipes and some dry shampoo to use to freshen up on the times when you feel you cant manage the whole shower routine? Sorry if this sounds daft or if its something you already do, I understand you wouldnt want to do this all of the time but its something I do on the odd occassion when I have a very bad chest infection as even sitting down in the shower can drain your energy when you're not feeling so good, as you know. Just an idea anyway

Ames

I bought a cheap plastic garden chair a couple of months ago, it's made it easier but not really affected how tiring it is. And I've still got to stand up and move the chair so that I can rinse off the soap. I've thought about the dry shampoo, but not baby wipes, I'll give it a go, thanks for suggesting it.

Ames

Stupid bl00dy twuntish social workers. she was supposed to be here at 10.30, so it looks like it's been cancelled without anyone letting me know. A weekend worrying for nothing!

redsquirrel80

Ames wrote: »

Stupid bl00dy twuntish social workers. she was supposed to be here at 10.30, so it looks like it's been cancelled without anyone letting me know. A weekend worrying for nothing!

Grrr! :mad: Well that's another thing to add to your complaint! Keeping fingers crossed that you get it all sorted out quickly.

Ames

She's just turned up. She's given me a copy of the assessment (haven't had time to read it yet) and closing my file. She says I can refer again after I've been to the CFS clinic, because they can only offer me help after I've been there. Small problem - last time I went they said they wouldn't see me because of my mental health problems, and I've been told by the immunology clinic that the ME clinic wont see me because the consultant's the same guy and there's no point being under him twice for the same problem. She wouldn't listen to me though, she just said that things change all the time. I also told her some of my more personal problems that I didn't mention last time - problems toileting meaning I need to shower more often (she said to see if the occupational therapist can come up with something?!) and the diarrhea I get because of having to use dirty plates, she said to get a cleaner to do it.

Oh and she left me a leaflet for a meals on wheels type service.

Something tells me she didn't know about my complaint...

Ames

I am so angry! I'm only a couple of pages in and it's full of bs! She said I shower 1-2 times a week, it's actually every 1-2 weeks at best! She's ticked yes to questions she didn't ask me, and if she had asked me the answer would have been no.

Ames

I've gone from angry to absolutely livid. The questions that she has asked she's lied about the answers, and she's missed well over half of the questions. She's mentioned my low mood, but not the fact that I'm manic and having problems with that, and missed out the mental health questions all together.

Later today I'll be pm'ing the people on here who've offered to help for the best way to bring all these issues up, I'm too angry right now.