make do and mend for tougher times

katieowl_2

OH DEAR!!! The place older DD and her BF moved into at the weekend is proving to be a nightmare. There is so much work the estate agent promised would be done that has not been, and the most worrying thing is that the flat is extremely damp! There are huge mould patches on two internal walls (back to back) and on the ceiling in the bedroom. The place reeks of damp, and they are all feeling ill They have BF's younger brother with them at the moment, he's 16 and feeling so ill they are sending him home a fortnight early.

I made the BF call the estate agent today, who says now they are in, anything wrong is down to land lord. Landlord is brother of someone I know through work :mad: He has a house in the village, but lives in Leicester.

He's around at the moment, and is supposed to be going in this evening to see what they are unhappy about. It's a long list, but the damp is top, as it's actually un-liveable with.

BF is a plumber, and he and I both think the bathroom waste (aka toilet waste) pipe is leaking behind some boxing in, water doesn't smell so bad. DD is hysterical. I've despatched OH round there to assess the state of the flat, as he's 'trade' I'm hoping he will be there when the LL arrives and can assist with the twisting of arms up backs. There is a hole in the kitchen wall you can stick your head through, into an outside shed!!!!

On the plus side it's huge.... actually that's not a plus, as I remember from our place in London huge equals triple the price to fix.

Kate

fuddle

Would that happen now? Is JSA lower than poorly people's benefit (what is that called?)

Really interesting reading the last few posts. I understand a little more now.

I have just posted on freecycle for a ladies bike. I am not hopeful as have not seen bikes on there for an awful long time. I guess they are money makers and at least go on ebay. I'm looking to be even more independent and get myself to the bank without using the bus.

shegar

Pooky wrote: »

Guess what arrived on the doormat this morning.....

A letter from ATOS asking DH to go in for his medical assessment. Bring it on!

I do love the "how to get here" advice sheet they supply with it which suggests he leaves at 7.05am takes 4 buses and walks between bus stops (a total of 41 minutes walking) in order to get to his appointment at 9.30am. If he were able to do that, he'd be at ruddy work!!!

Going to call them later to make sure they have the facilities to record the interview.

Atos(ers) must be having a laugh eh.?...How do they expect someone so disabled to travel on 4 buses to get to them??.....

When they call my hubby in I will dam right refuse to take him and ask for a home appointment, theres no way I can push and lift his dam heavy awkward wheelchair........:mad:Whatever next....I know they have to weed out the spongers but surely with the backing of your local doctors they ought to realize the man is ill.........:mad:..
Makes my blood boil,my hubby has been told he must go into a support group,theres only 2 things he can do for himself and thats go to the loo and clean his teeth........How much more disabled does he have to be..?......

If I have to I will contact my MP and whatever I have to do, I hope also that anyone else in the same situation as us do the same........
I watched Panarama on Monday night and I was disgusted how atosers were treating disabled people, makes me mad,,,,:mad:

Weather been super here today started off blue skies and sunny, then had small amount of drizzle then out come the sun......at 21 degrees its been ideal.......
Took hubby to hospital for his neuro appoinment today , I asked the dr would he please organise and MRI scan for him as its been near on 5 yrs at the end of this month since he had his stroke and last MRI , and the family can see a deteriation in his health, he agreed, so we have to wait 4 to 6 wks to get that appoinment through, its no good them keep changing his meds and he is no better , after 4 yrs of med changing and no scans I think its called for now................So im off to bed very soon , didnt get back from hospital until 6 pm, so its been a long day.............

Pooky

GQ - to some extent my DH was one of the smug ones, having missed maybe 5 days work in his entire life due to sickness, his career was that important that he'd struggle in come hell or high water but the car accident that has left him in this state was something completely out of his control (he was a passenger in a car with two cars going into the back of them). He was horrified that he'd have to claim benefits but as he has a family he's had to bite his tongue, fill in the forms and accept that life is as it is just now. Luckily we had provision to help us out and we are not totally reliant on the benefit but he's entitled to it on a contributions based level so why shouldn't he receive it. Hard going though when you've been brought up with a work ethic that makes it hard to admit you can't, at this time, provide for your family.

I think the targets are wrong, target the work shy, those who've never done a days work in their life, not those like my wonderful hubby that would, given the opportunity be at his desk doing what he does best. But who wants to employ a 42 year old with severe pain, mobility issues, debilitating muscular spasms, bladder issues, severe depression, neurological and neuro psychological problems and neck and lumber disc prolapses?

Rant over

grandma247

fuddle what will happen now is anybodys guess.

We just have to keep doing what we are doing and hope to limit any damage should any of us find ourselves in that situation.

We did not have food stores or even a decent pantry back then. Dh was in the building trade and they are always the first to get laid off. He has A different job now but is by no means safe.

Popperwell

Good post GQ...

What anyone needs is as you suggest luck in the lottery or someone to bequeth money in their will.

Its no good it being a small amount as Mum's money proves, it's not going to be enough to put to any real use but it's enough to stop my money(IS)and though I'll have the DLA for now, I assume, no one really knows, I keep expecting the brown envelope to drop on the mat(when the capital from Mum starts reducing I'll be asking for help again)

Perhaps I could survive on less, I've proved that I can since I lost Mum but in my case if I had savings or when the changes come, I manage as now. Perhaps I could absorb the Bedroom Tax, which is in affect a reduction in HA but if they make me poorer perhaps not.

Possibly though I am not well if I was made to go on JSA as my appeal fails and still had DLA(or the equivelent)I think I'd be £50 a week worse off but might if I cut back on the gas/electric again and buy low price food...manage. It would be tight though.

Especially, if I hope to keep the TV licence, phone and internet going too. Oh and I'd have to pay for my medicines(they're approx £50 a month but if I might be able to claw some that back with one of those prepayment certificate that allow you free prescriptions 10 months out of 12.

Two big taxi journeys per week and there would be nothing left.

Not much to look forward too...but lots of unknowns and it's all guess work and I have not even put into equasion what happens if you work part time. And cost of travelling if you are made to travel out of your area.

Possession

Popperwell wrote: »

Good post GQ...
Especially, if I hope to keep the TV licence, phone and internet going too. Oh and I'd have to pay for my medicines(they're approx £50 a month but if I might be able to claw some that back with one of those prepayment certificate that allow you free prescriptions 10 months out of 12.

Pops the PPC is £104 for 12 months, so if paying for your prescriptions you'd have broken even in 2 months unless I'm mistaken?

Popperwell

shegar wrote: »

I watched Panarama on Monday night and I was disgusted how atosers were treating disabled people, makes me mad,,,,:mad:

Go on Channel 4OD and look at their Dispatches programme where a Dr went under cover to be trained to work at ATOS and do the assesments...it aired the same night before Panorama...

Popperwell

Possession wrote: »

Pops the PPC is £104 for 12 months, so if paying for your prescriptions you'd have broken even in 2 months unless I'm mistaken?

That's right;) It all helps...

Popperwell

I was never a worrier or scared about the future but I am now...I have lost my appetite again(not good)but I am going to make myself eat something soon...maybe have a chicken salad which is easy to do...I was orginally going to do a warm meal but I'll have the usual salad stuff/chicken and maybe do some new potatoes in the mircowave...

I spent most of the day in bed...not good! I think I have coped with losing Mum now as I know I cannot change anything this has taken over from that.

I will make myself go out tomorrow and even if its spending/wasting money may get a taxi to a neighbouring town just to say that I have. It will probably mean I am just walking around shops again.

I'll go and pay my theatre tickets off the credit card at the bank.