The (not so old) Crocks Cafe -Part 2

juno

SingleSue wrote: »

I requested assistance from OU for special arrangements in exams...may seem a small step to some but it was a huge (and very upsetting) one for me.

I don't believe myself to be disabled but the exam in October was an absolute nightmare as I just couldn't concentrate due to the pain of having to sit in their horrendous seats, the position I had to sit in and the travel and walking to get there.

I hate admitting that I may need extra help but I just could not adapt to the surroundings in the exam hall as I can at home (frequent breaks, study books propped up to the right level and angle with pillows etc).

I get rest breaks in OU exams and it's great. It's a bit weird getting up as everyone else turns to look but it's worth it. I get half an hour to take as I want. That's the maximum you can get and still be in the same room as everyone else - you can get longer but they put you in a different room.

formaldehyde_perfume

Since my last post things went very bad, physically. For some unknown reason my medication (which usually produces no side affects worth mentioning) when taken with or in a short time frame from yoghurt produces a vile stomach ache. This time was the worst I've ever experienced, I was in agony for 5 hours and nothing I could do would ease the pain at all. I don't know how or why, but I fell asleep from exhaustion on the sofa, and when I woke up half an hour ago 95% of the pain has gone, although I now have swollen tonsils and a sore throat for some reason.

I hope I never have to go through something like that again.

Sue - well done! I know how hard it is to confront and be proactive about things that you can't do any more, adaptations and stuff, let alone the label of disability. Be proud of yourself

Indie_Kid

FP - hope you feel better soon.

formaldehyde_perfume

sh1305 wrote: »

FP - hope you feel better soon.

Thanks. I had a pretty rough nights sleep and have woken up with swollen glands and a sore throat, and generally feeling under the weather. I'm either coming down with a cold or it's just my body recovering from the trauma of yesterday.

I just had a look at my ESA letters and theyre all very confusing, despite contradicting themselves several times (that's a whole separate issue in its self) the weekly money they've said I will get is higher than both workers group and support group on the direct.gov website. Also, I've just checked my account online and despite being paid my assessment rate on the 27th I've now been paid over £300. I'm not complaining, I'm over the moon about the decision, but I wish I could understand what's going on.

Anyone got any ideas?

SingleSue

Not a scoobie I am afraid...the ESA system is as much of a mystery to me as the world in general is to my youngest son.

I do hope you are not getting a similar cold to the one I have had, it has really knocked me for six and almost put youngest son in hospital last week...blooming awful cold that will just not go away (even if it did give the boys something to laugh about when I lost my voice).

Got to go to a Pathways evening tonight at middle son's school as he needs to choose which GCSE's he is doing. It is so very different to eldest son as he knew exactly what he wanted to do before we went to the evening but middle son just says music..well that takes care of one of the choices but he has to make several more!

We also have to be careful because the two high schools in the area are linked up, so some courses will be at one school and some at the other and of course, middle son cannot get himself between the two without getting lost or distracted..so we have to try to target subjects in just the one school.

Eldest us up for his ECG today, fingers crossed that goes ok.

Indie_Kid

formaldehyde_perfume wrote: »

Thanks. I had a pretty rough nights sleep and have woken up with swollen glands and a sore throat, and generally feeling under the weather. I'm either coming down with a cold or it's just my body recovering from the trauma of yesterday.

I just had a look at my ESA letters and theyre all very confusing, despite contradicting themselves several times (that's a whole separate issue in its self) the weekly money they've said I will get is higher than both workers group and support group on the direct.gov website. Also, I've just checked my account online and despite being paid my assessment rate on the 27th I've now been paid over £300. I'm not complaining, I'm over the moon about the decision, but I wish I could understand what's going on.

Anyone got any ideas?

Are you on mid or high rate care DLA? Are you classed as living alone? Does anyone receive carers allowance for you?

formaldehyde_perfume

sh1305 wrote: »

Are you on mid or high rate care DLA? Are you classed as living alone? Does anyone receive carers allowance for you?

I receive mid rate care, I don't think I'm classed as living alone (I live with my mum but haven't told the council I've switched from living with my dad as I needed ESA sorted out first, but I know he was claiming single occupancy rate council tax since november but I moved out over xmas so I don't know how that works) and no one receives carers allowance for me. Would the DLA I get add an extra component on to my ESA then?

Indie_Kid

There should be a piece of paper included with your letter. It tells you how their decision was met and the break down of why you get the amount that you do. (based on age, other income / savings, etc) I will try to find it you; but I think there's something called "disability income guarantee". I think that's an extra £13 per week.

formaldehyde_perfume

Unfortunately the whole thing is a contradiction, there is a piece of paper like that but it doesn't make sense either. I guess I'll have to go in to town tomorrow and use the Job Centre phone to call them up and ask what's going on. Yet more stress, and when I'm ill on top of normal problems too

Indie_Kid

Someone may be able to help you if you post on the benefits section of MSE.