The Giving Up/Cutting Down Alcohol Support Thread - Numero 9!

Puzzcat

skintscottishgirl wrote: »

I would just like to take this oppurtunity to apologise to everyone for my part in the other thread being closed down.

I hope that we can all move on from this now, we are all still on the same side.

hugs to all that need them...

XX

Drink does funny stuff to us all.. as you say we've moved on..well the thread did, it never hangs around for long..load of chatter boxes.. Takes a deep breath..... and it will soon be christmas :xmastree:
haha.. me loves christmas...!
xx

Puzzcat

jo1972 wrote: »

Just booger off won't you!!!

NO, IT'S NOT!!!!!!!!!

That's rude...!

well best get on with it then, instead of playing on here!!!! and when you've finished please come and do mine..?

xx

Miss_Piggy_2

Puzzcat wrote: »

That's rude...!

well best get on with it then, instead of playing on here!!!! and when you've finished please come and do mine..?

xx

I asked her to do mine.....but the response was unrepeatable!!:rotfl:

nearlyrich

penelopedee wrote: »

Is somebody able to do a link from the old thread to the new?

(Sorry I'm not very technical with this sort of thing)

I did one for you;)

jo1972

Puzzcat wrote: »

haha.. me loves christmas...!
xx

Don't tell that lurky :eek: :eek:

Puzzcat wrote: »

when you've finished please come and do mine..?

xx

Miss_Piggy wrote: »

I asked her to do mine.....but the response was unrepeatable!!:rotfl:

How unrepeatable do you both want....and not...no yet.....:eek:

penelopedee_2

Cheers

jo1972

nearlyrich wrote: »

I did one for you;)

Thanks muchly

SimIsOnTheUp

randomname wrote: »

Sim Congratulations on winning your appeal. you must be hugely relieved but don't forget what you said, celebrate with a slice of cake or if you like, the whole thing.

RN

Hiya RN,

Thanks for the Congrats.

Relief is quite the understatement! :j

A very nerve wracking experience, but the two chaps who were 'manning' the helm of the hearing as it were, couldn't have been more professional.

One Doctor, and one Judge.

The Doc was much friendlier, and easier to talk to, while the Judge was quite efficious, and a *little* on the stern, scary side.. Lots of leading questions and all that!

They asked me to answer their questions as if we were back in February (at the time of the Medical), however the Judge kept asking me how I'd been this last week.. But, I stayed :cool: ..just.

Started stammering quite badly at one stage, and got a bit panicky but I had a 'man up' word with myself, got it together, and ploughed on.

A few very difficult questions - ie - "Why were you drinking while taking Beta - blockers and Acamprosate?" .. and "You say you find it hard to concentrate...Can you operate a washing machine? What about an alarm clock? Has drinking caused any inappropriate behaviour?" etc...

Anyway, after 45 minutes, the Judge kindly said "Usually, we would ask you to wait outside in the waiting room, for 10 minutes while we make our decision, but I can see you're distressed and very anxious, so I can put your mind at rest now, and tell you that we are going to allow you your appeal. You have been successful with your appeal."
:T

The clerk then brought out the written confirmation, showing how I'd 'scored' 18 points (as opposed to '0' at my original Medical in February!)

For anyone who is due to go through an ESA Hearing, please please prepare in advance. Get loads of written evidence, and make sure you get representation. I can not thank my Advocate chap enough!

So now, the DWP will give me a bit of space and time to go for rehab, without my having to send in Doctors notes.

They'll increase my ESA from £64 per week, to about £90 per week, which is going to be a huge help with bills.

DWP will also backdate the difference, back to the 14th week of my appeal = about £850.00.

To say I'm over the moon about everything today, is again an understatement.

My Advocate chap who helped me these past couple of weeks, was a top bloke, and really helped with the moral support while we were in there.

It's all given me even more of an impetus to find a part time Christmas job / get professional help in staying sober.

Feel quite teary typing this!

Big Hugs to you all,

Sim xx

PS - One has to 'score' 15 points minimum, for the original decision by the DWP to be overturned

penelopedee_2

Well not AF but not going to badly this evening. Had a couple of glasses and now on a 'nice cup of tea' - pleased with this

Puzzcat

SimIsOnTheUp, glad all went well for you today.