Dragon's Road to Rio

Knitting_Nora

Hey there, Sweetie. It's been said before in a much nicer way, but essentially, don't let the !!!!!!s grind you down.

Good to hear that Dr D is on the case, and don't be scared to drag your MP and the media in on it if you can bear it.

And I, for one, much prefer the world with you in it - so hang fire on any plans to dispatch yourself please!

*big hugs*

Nora.xx

The_Dragon

mum2one wrote: »

Dragon, - just came across your diary, the ESA don't know what the left or the right is doing, have they put you in the Work group, they basically decide what they want to do.
I'm glad you have dr dragon on the case for you.
On the benefits board there is all the info you need to got for claim.

The first process - the form is where they got the points from.

I know you've had a tough time in more ways than one, and I know how you feel about dealing with the ESA etc, - I've hit rock bottom more than a little coz of the ESA / DLA side.

Have you got a benfits advisor who works for the council, they may be able to help with forms etc. When mum asked for DLA assesment we had the lady fill it in for us, as where you or I may take 50 words to describe something, they could do it in 10 words.

Please, remember your a strong lady and have a great hubby, fab dog and good friends, xxx

Yes, the work related activity group, Dr Dragon has my authority to contact DWP and ask for a breakdown of their decision (frankly it appears to us that Don't Give ATOS didn't even look at the form! According to my Doctor and our own assessment I got at LEAST 45 points and you need 15 to go in the support group), I can't get out of bed without help, I can't manage stairs without help, I can't bathe or dress without help, I can't sit for more than about 20 mins, I can't stand for more than 1 min, I can't walk without crutches, I can't walk more than 10 yards without stopping because of pain but obviously I can get to and from a work place and do a days work without any problems :mad:

Knitting_Nora wrote: »

Hey there, Sweetie. It's been said before in a much nicer way, but essentially, don't let the !!!!!!s grind you down.

Good to hear that Dr D is on the case, and don't be scared to drag your MP and the media in on it if you can bear it.

And I, for one, much prefer the world with you in it - so hang fire on any plans to dispatch yourself please!

*big hugs*

Nora.xx

Thanks hun - I don't WANT to be disabled but I am and Don't Give ATOS may think they have miraculously cured me (haven't seen the evidence myself!), Monday we contact the Docs for a "Fit Note" (ie Mrs Dragon CANNOT work for the next ... ever!), contact DLA and apply for carers allowance (have needed this for a couple of years but didn't want to stick my head over the parapet and lose the lot - well too late for that now!), contact Social Services and say I now need rails in the bathroom.

mum2one

I can ditto to everything you have said, i was told you need to get 15 points or above to get ESA, and virtualy a dying duck to get into the support group, i got dumped into the WRAG group, with an assesment that I can work full time in 12 mths time,be fully mobile....... so do i just forget 2 car accidents, and being on crutches for 10 yrs and dosed up to the eyeballs on tablets to get through the day. We've just changed surgeries, and my new doc went mad at the amount of tablets I'm on, apparently i shouldn't be standing, ...the ATOS are a waste of space, for me as I was fighting my ex through courts i couldn't take on another fight with ATOS, but know next yr that I'll have to, seem to have the support from this new GP.
I really hope you get sorted, you don't need this or deserve it.

Have you got an occupational therapist - we've had to had stair lift put in, the bathroom was completly gutted and made into wetroom, the only trouble the loo is now under the window....... and literally next dr to a school, so have to check the windows closed before I go in, made the mistake once - window open, and this kids shouts up hello Miss XXX...... at the time I was reading with a class at the school!
Good luck with the fight, and I'll throw my weight behind you! xx

chevalier

The more I hear about ATOS, the more I think that it is a crock of !!!!!!. I really do. I am so sorry you have fallen foul of this system. How can they possibly think that you can work, if you can't do all the things you have listed!:mad::mad::mad:

chev

Eager_Elephant

Hi Dragon

I am happy to offer help if you would like it - I am a Money Adviser and help people with benefit appeals.

I assume this latest letter is because you are moving from Incapacity Benefit to ESA? If it is they seem to put everyone in the WRAG and then in a few months you go for a proper medical and this is where you can go in the Support Group.

Did you complete an ESA50 to help them decide or have you just been sent a letter?

Also note that paperwork sent to ATOS with the ESA50 do not get sent to the decision maker at the Jobcentre!! In my area we are calling for this to be changed as the form states that you can send letters etc and people assume it reaches the decision maker.

The_Dragon

Eager_Elephant wrote: »

Hi Dragon

I am happy to offer help if you would like it - I am a Money Adviser and help people with benefit appeals.

I assume this latest letter is because you are moving from Incapacity Benefit to ESA? If it is they seem to put everyone in the WRAG and then in a few months you go for a proper medical and this is where you can go in the Support Group.

Did you complete an ESA50 to help them decide or have you just been sent a letter?

Also note that paperwork sent to ATOS with the ESA50 do not get sent to the decision maker at the Jobcentre!! In my area we are calling for this to be changed as the form states that you can send letters etc and people assume it reaches the decision maker.

I filled out a form (well Dr Dragon filled it out, I can barely hold a pen these days!), included in the form was a letter from my Doctor stating that I cannot work. I saw my Doctor this morning and he has given me a "fit note" stating I cannot work (initially for 2 months, he hopes this will all be sorted before then!), we have written off to the DWP for the breakdown of the decision AND requested information from DWP and Don't Give ATOS under Data Protection Rules (or something! Brain doesn't work either)

Lemon_Tree

Bless you Dragon my friend, i'm so sorry you've had to go through this, but i'm glad Dr Dragon is on the case. I really hope that this all gets sorted out for the better and soon!

taxi73

glad DR dragon is sorting it for you x

Knitting_Nora

Just swinging by to say hi....:hello:

The_Dragon

Okay FINALLY got the statement of reasons from the DWP (should arrive in 10 days it took them 25:eek::eek:), and having looked at that it appears that the nurse didn't even READ my ESA50 :mad::mad::mad: - so the fight starts this weekend after I recover from the fall I had yesterday (fell over as my right ankle gave way coming in to the house - thank the GODDESS for good neighbours who helped me up or I would have been lying there for 3 hours! :eek::eek::eek: - but yeah within a year I can hold down a job ... blimming money/time wasters)