Wanting to work but hitting a wall ...

Cookiee

ohreally wrote: »

Has he spoken with a consultant to establish if he's a suitable candidate for surgery?

Hi ohreally

He is currently under the care of a surgeon. He is very unwilling to operate as the blockages in his spinal cord, which is restricting the spinal fluid and trapping his nerves on his left side, is too intrigate to operate. He thinks he might be able to fuse 3 of the discs together, but at the moment because his back swells (looks like 2 oranges poking through on his left side) he wants to try and balance out his pain medication 1st. Physio wont touch him with a barge pole due to his injury

What we were hoping that we could find some part time work which would ease him into the workplace. That way his back is constantly being used (even with his back brace on) and he can get used to working again. However as each day is different and the pain can vary from very uncomfortable to screaming out in agony, we are finding it almost impossible to find an employer within a 20 mins drive who will take him on.

My OH is a smart man x He has a lot of skills which I feel he could reuse with some training but it is like hitting his head against a brick wall with both JC and employers. :mad:

Cookiee

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

He should be entitled to a free bus pass if his backs as bad as that.I've got one for my back and its the same entitlements as the ones for pensioners.You just get a form from the bus station and then get the Dr to stamp it.

Thanks Dandelionclock30 but he has a car so does not need a buspass. The traveling would be just as bad, if not worse to get on a bus. But thanks for the suggestion

dandelionclock30

Sounds like he needs to concentrate on getting well enough to go about his life first.It sounds well bad, is he not getting any support regarding how to manage on a daily basis? or advice about exercizes etc?.
The NHS also run pain clinics to help those suffering from chronic pain. I think back pain is in the same bracket as toothache and earache on the pain front.

SarEl

You could also try these people http://www.remploy.co.uk/

I have heard some good stuff about them, but can't personally say I have any experience of them.

Cookiee

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Sounds like he needs to concentrate on getting well enough to go about his life first.It sounds well bad, is he not getting any support regarding how to manage on a daily basis? or advice about exercizes etc?.
The NHS also run pain clinics to help those suffering from chronic pain. I think back pain is in the same bracket as toothache and earache on the pain front.

Totally 100% agree but the government doesn't. He is not able to go onto the support group and his ESA stops in April so we need to do something now. I cant take another job due to my t&c's at my job. We will have no money for food and basic living as I earn over the income related t&c's for the WRAG group.

He sees the Dr every month and he has been given some back exercises to do but to be honest he can be in agony after doing them. Mind you there are a few days (sometimes 3) where he can walk about and sit for 45 mins to an hour at a time. Mind you this is very few and far between and he can pay for it afterwards. His surgeon has said for him to be under the pain manegement team but the waiting time for an appointment at the hospital for this is 6/7 months!!:eek:

I look after him once I come back from work. I can work up to 12 hours a day some days so our neighbour also helps out if OH gets into trouble. I help him out of bed, dress, cook and clean as well as help him shower.

I am going to post on the debt free board too to see if they can help.

dandelionclock30

He sounds eligable for DLA the care and mobility component-should at least get middle rate.
Can you not appeal the ESA stopping? Is this about £100 a week?
Theres not going to be many employers wanting someone whos really,really bad with their back.

sukysue

Will he be alert enough for work taking Morphine etc for the pain, only it sounds as if he is not well enough for a job yet, sorry to be a Joabs comforter and of course you both know how he is just I wonder if he is so frustrated to work he may be going/trying before he should be .I know the loss of the money is a lot but couldn't you claim carers allowance for him? Just a thought good luck to you both m'dear.

Cookiee

The ESA stopping depends on the government unfortunately :-( We are still waiting on the DLA decision. We are just surviving on the ESA rate but once this stops we are stuck. At the moment we just cant seem to catch a break :-(

dandelionclock30

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10018705.

. You say you have an application in for DLA. If he gets it and you earn less than 100 quid a week you can claim carers allowance.

sukysue

My advice for what it's worth get and see all the agencies to make sure you are getting your full entitlements aw bless you both. I AM SENDING YOU BOTH BIG HUGS . I know that won't do any good but a trouble halved ...... Good Luck to you both x.